They are known as being the lungs of the world and have inspired countless artists for their imposing beauty.
But rather than evoking a sense of an idyllic scene from The Wind in the Willows, falling trees in a Norfolk village are causing discontent among its locals.
Residents of Hockering, near Dereham, say they are being terrorised by broken branches and are living in fear due to nature going rogue on their doorsteps.
And if repairing the damage was not bad enough, people living in the village are becoming exasperated as feuding councils tussle over who is responsible for cleaning the mess.
One couple has found themselves at the heart of the drama after becoming trapped inside their home on Manor Close.
Laura Price and her partner found themselves stuck inside when their house was struck by a falling tree during a hot afternoon last month.
It was only when two neighbours took a chainsaw to the tree that the pair, and their dog, were able to escape.
Ms Price said: “I genuinely, wholeheartedly, thought that tree was coming into the house.
“We were just in shock.”
And only minutes before the tree fell, a young family had been standing in the car park underneath it.
This was the second time in less than a month that the trees have toppled beside their home, damaging gutters, breaking tiles and blocking off the front and back doors.
Despite the entrances to Ms Price’s home being cleared, the tree remained there for six days as Hockering Parish Council and Breckland Council battled to deny responsibility.
And while Serco eventually cut down the tree, the company's involvement is believed to have occurred by chance.
Employees who tended to the damage reportedly told a neighbour that they had not been sent by either council, and had simply happened to see the tree while attending another site.
“They said they saw the tree and they felt as though they couldn’t leave it as it was a health and safety risk,” added Mrs Price.
The home had been visited by the fire brigade earlier in the week, but a crew said the wreckage was not posing an impending risk.
LIVING IN FEAR
Both trees that the branches had fallen from were considered to be the size of a house and are believed to be oak trees.
Another neighbour, whose fence was also damaged in the fall, said she feels as though she is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – known as PTSD – because of the incident.
Elysia Macpherson said: “Every time we hear a twig or a slight snap of an acorn fall we absolutely pee ourselves.
“We just want the situation to be made safe, and it feels like the only way someone would have helped is if someone had actually been struck and under it.
“If these collapses had happened on a road, they would have been dealt with within hours.
“But because it’s a limb resting on someone’s house and across a public path, the same sense of urgency and safety just isn’t there."
NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET
The biggest tree in the small woodland section which surrounds their homes still looms large - and sits ominously close to a popular play park.
Youngsters have been seen playing on the fallen branches, and locals have suggested the park should be closed until further notice.
Ms Macpherson added: “How can children's safety be taken seriously when the far bigger danger is being ignored?
"It is unbearable to know that our life’s work, our homes, and - most importantly - our lives and the lives of the village’s children are at risk while nothing is being done."
Jonty Blackwell, chair of Hockering Parish Council, said they are working with Breckland and Norfolk County Council to try and access old archives which may reveal who is responsible for the woodland.
He said: "In these circumstances we wanted to try and get something done safely and securely as possible, but the work was quite substantial and required specialist equipment and expertise."
He added that once ownership is discovered, tree surveys will be carried out to establish the long-term risks of the site.
Helen Crane, executive member for waste, environmental health, licensing and sustainability at Breckland, said the council is aware of the issue and Serco’s involvement.
However, it did not confirm that Breckland sent the company directly.
She said: “We are aware of the fallen trees in Hockering and Serco have made the area safe for people to use.
“We are currently working with Norfolk County Council to determine ownership of the trees in the area.”
Neither Breckland or Hockering Parish Council are yet to claim ownership of the trees.
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