Villagers in Tean, Staffordshire, are facing issues due to trees planted by primary school children from Great Wood Primary School in 1988 that have grown over 60 feet tall. These Norway maples, sycamores, and silver birches now block sunlight from homes and gardens, raising concerns about property values and potential safety hazards during storms. Neighbours like Kay Mitchell and Maureen Forsyth express worry over the health of the trees and their proximity to buildings, with some houses receiving no direct sunlight until midday. The school claims it conducts regular safety inspections but acknowledges ongoing concerns among residents.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Villagers in Tean, Staffordshire are facing near-total darkness due to dozens of 60-foot-tall trees that were planted by students at Great Wood Primary School back in 1988. These Norway maples, sycamores, and silver birch trees have grown so large after 38 years that they now block sunlight from homes and gardens, leaving them perpetually shaded. Concerned residents like 79-year-old Kay Mitchell, a grandmother of five, worry not only about the loss of natural light but also the safety risks posed by potentially unhealthy trees during severe weather conditions. The proximity to houses makes locals fear that a storm could cause the trees to fall and damage property. Additionally, residents are concerned that these overgrown and poorly maintained trees might deter potential homebuyers from purchasing nearby properties.
Written for “Tree Shade Problem Villages” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 65517 · logged 2026-10-08
Villagers have been plunged into near total darkness by dozens of 60ft trees planted by primary school children.
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Villagers → plunge → children
Homeowners in Tean, Staffordshire, say that the trees, planted by pupils at Great Wood Primary School in 1988, are blocking the sunlight from their properties.
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trees → say → properties
The Norway maples, sycamores and silver birch trees on the school's perimeter have grown so tall after 38 years, rooms and gardens have been left in near-permanent shade.
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rooms → grow → shade
Worried neighbours also fear that a heavy storm could cause the trees to come crashing down destroying their homes.
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trees → fear → homes
Grandmother-of-five Kay Mitchell said the overgrown trees could even put off prospective buyers from purchasing the precariously placed properties.
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trees → say → properties
'My biggest fear is that the trees aren’t healthy, not spaced far apart and covered in ivy - they are a risk,' she said.
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she → space → ivy
'It’s blocking light from my garden, but the main thing is they aren’t healthy and aren’t going to stand for very long.'
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they → block → long
The retired coffee shop owner added that the trees, which are not maintained by the school, have grown just metres from surrounding properties.
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which → add → properties
Worried neighbours in Tean, Staffordshire, have voiced their concerns about dozens of trees planted in 1988 that have grown to more than 60ft
Kay Mitchell, 79, pictured looking up at the trees that are blocking the sunlight from her home
She said: 'They’re all 60ft tall, and the ground is higher than the houses so they really do blot out the sun.
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they → voice → sun
They’re enormous some of them, their branches in one case is just one metre away from a neighbour’s chimney.'
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branches → ’re → chimney
Maureen Forsyth, who has lived at her home for three years, said there is near constant shade thanks to the massive trees.
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who → live → trees
She said: 'I don’t use the back garden because it’s so dark and there wasn’t any light, so we just built a shed.
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we → say → shed
It’s mainly dark all the time, my utility room backs onto that and I always have to put my light on.
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I → ’ → light
You can’t use the spare bedroom without turning the light on.'
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You → use → light
The retired hotel owner added that she was concerned about how close the trees were getting to her home.
'
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trees → add → home
I’m the closest to the trees, one of the trees is only about 5m away from my home.
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one → ’m → home
'If one of the larger branches or trees does fall you can only imagine the damage it will cause.'
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it → fall → branches
The grandmother-of-five said the massive trees could put off prospective buyers from purchasing properties on the school perimeter
An aerial picture of Great Wood Primary School surrounded by large trees planted by pupils in 1988
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trees → say → 1988
Some neighbours even complained about their properties not receiving any sunlight until near midday.
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properties → complain → midday
Others said the battle to maintain the 'domineering' trees is a 'never-ending mission'.
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battle → say → trees
Great Wood Primary School, which is part of the Moorlands Primary Federation (TMPF) Trust, said the trees receive regular safety inspections.
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trees → say → inspections
A spokesperson said: 'The management of trees on the site is something which the school takes seriously and as such commission regular surveys and reports to ensure they are doing so.
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they → say → surveys
The school will always listen to any concerns raised and are happy to meet with neighbouring residents to endeavour to work respectfully towards a resolution for all parties which is mindful of professional advice, safety and our environmental responsibilities.'
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which → listen → advice
High Peak Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said they are not responsible for the trees because they are not considered 'dangerous'.
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they → say → trees
A council spokesperson said: 'The trees are not protected by Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and are not within a conservation area, therefore there is no statutory role for the council in that regard.
'
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trees → say → regard
There is no legislation that restricts the height or width a tree may be on private land.'
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tree → be → land
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