‘It’s just not fair’ says Horsham woman in tree wrangle

Karen Matthews has been battling for more than three years to establish ownership of two overgrown oak trees outside the garden of her home in Rook Way.

But she has gone from pillar to post to try and find out and get the trees trimmed back from her property. “It’s been a nightmare,” she said.

It started when large branches from the trees began hanging over her garden fence, out of reach, but leaving the costly fence stained green and the nearby grass dead.

Karen tried to find out from Horsham District Council who owned the trees and was told to contact West Sussex Highways - who, says Karen, eventually told her that the trees were planted by estate property developers around 50 years ago.

But the developers denied the trees were theirs and said that they had been ‘adopted’ by the council.

“No-one had an answer, no-one was taking responsibility,” said Karen. “It just frustrates the life out of me.”

After more to-ing and fro-ing over the years, Karen says they had no option but to pay £240 to have the branches cut back.

“We have had to pay and, like it or lump it, that’s the rules if the offending trees don’t belong to you,” said Karen. “If it was a neighbour’s tree the story would be so different.”

She added: “I am guessing that as long as we live here we have got to cut these trees. It’s just not fair.”

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