The Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993

Removal of potentially dangerous trees and hedges

50.  Where the Department is satisfied that any tree or hedge adjoining, adjacent to, or growing on a road—

(a) is dead, damaged, diseased or insecurely rooted and by reason of its condition is likely to cause danger to persons using the road;

(b) obstructs or interferes with the light from any public lamp;

(c) endangers or obstructs the passage of vehicles or pedestrians, or obstructs the view of drivers of vehicles; or

(d) otherwise prejudices the safety or convenience of persons using the road or prejudices the road,

the Department may serve a notice on the owner of the tree or hedge, or on the occupier of the land on which such tree or hedge is growing, requiring him to remove the tree or hedge or to lop the tree or cut back the hedge to such an extent as will remove the obstruction or remedy any other matter to which the notice relates.