Tree owners have a range of responsiblites when it comes to owning a tree(s) on your property. Most importantly understanding that you as a tree owner have a duty of care in "common law" to
‘take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which they can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure their neighbour’
Under the Occupiers' Liability Acts to take reasonable steps to ensure that both visitors and trespassers on their land are safe. This means that if a tree fails and causes damage to a person or property, the owner may be held liable. However, the success of such a claim typically depends on whether the owner was negligent. For instance, if a tree was clearly unsafe due to damage or disease and the owner did not take action to address the hazard, they could be found responsible for any resulting incidents. Therefore, it is prudent for tree owners to have their trees regularly inspected by a competent arboriculturist to mitigate such risks.