Gardeners who don’t appreciate the beauty and ecological importance of trees are, fortunately, a rarity. That said however, under some circumstances trees on allotment sites can impair the enjoyment of the site by its tenants, or by some of them, for its proper purpose.
Our Tenancy Agreements – the new ones – refer specifically to them, and state that:
- No conifer, broadleaf, or willow may be planted or maintained (that is, allowed to remain if already on the plot) and also state that bamboo is now prohibited too. Allotments Officer has also stated that bay trees and most common nut trees (which are usually huge) are simply broadleaf trees for the purposes of these rules.
- Fruit trees must be under four metres tall, and the Council direct that they should also be on dwarf root stock.
Unfortunately, historically, plot holders have quite often mistakenly assumed that as long as they comply with the above rules, then they can do as they otherwise wish regarding the planting of trees.
This is seriously mistaken however, and for the following reason: all of us are bound by an undertaking not to cause nuisance to any other plot holder nor to general site facilities.
So this means that in addition to the above rules:
- No tree must cast significant shade onto any other plot. (That is, any degree of shade to which another might object.)
- No part of a tree must overhang any other plot, nor obstruct any path or track.
- The previous mean that trees should only be planted well away from plot boundaries, especially the north or northwestern ones.
If these rules had been followed more generally, then a large number of problems on the site would have been avoided. It becomes apparent when clearing plots for new tenants however, that there’s been a tendency for plot holders to plant trees on or near the north or northwest boundary of their plots precisely so that the shade cast is on someone else’s plot and not on their own!
Long suffering plot holders, whose enjoyment of their plots has been blighted by the inconsiderate planting of neighbouring trees might assume that their predicament is simply part of the rough-and-tumble of allotment life, but this is just not so. They have every right to demand that the nuisance be removed.
PPAA volunteers are addressing the backlog of problems caused by badly-sited or otherwise problematic trees, and removing them as plots are cleared.
However, plot holders generally can assist in this work.
PPAA Committee have agreed in principle that some funds should be made available to assist with the removal of trees from plots where the holder would like to comply with their undertakings. Priority will be given where they inherited the tree with the plot, and also where they apply in good time, that is, first-come-first-served.
It’s as well that we make clear however, that if a plot holder with a non-compliant tree doesn’t take up this offer – and especially if there were any complaint – then following the Council-mandated Plot Inspections they may be required to remove it at their own expense.
Those wanting to benefit from this offer should contact PPAA Committee with plot number, details of the tree(s), and ideally a ‘phone number too. They should do so before Friday, November 20th 2026.
Tenants should be generally aware also, that a professional tree surgery company will be removing or trimming back dead and dangerous trees at the edges of the Pontcanna allotments site. Trees will also be cut back at the rear of allotments along the Western Avenue boundary.
PPA Website Team
