Neighbours roots

[EverythingsDozy]

I have recently posted about my lumpy bumpy lawn and now I've been digging it up it's evident why it's so bad!
I have trees at the back of the garden and my next door neighbour has trees right next to the fence too. The roots are massive and nicely creeping under my lawn!

Can I cut them? Also, how can I stop them coming back under my garden?

[Ferguson]

Trees could die if roots cut, depends on kind of tree I guess. Discuss with neighbour, see if can resolve? Trees shouldn't really be planted TOO close to a fence or wall.

Find out type of tree, then do more research on the variety.

[Gooner123]

They're in your garden,so you can cut them if you want,stopping them growing back is gonna be a bit trickier.

[EverythingsDozy]

I've asked him if I could cut them and he said yes but not sure if he knows what might happen if I do. I can imagine there's some roots on the tree that aren't coming into my garden so will it kill the tree if I only cut the one thick one that's coming into my garden?
I have no idea what tree they might be, they're not in bloom either so can't even describe them. There were weeds in my lawn that I now realise were from the roots of his trees. They were pretty tough but fairly thin, light green. They had the odd spike on, not covered like little hairs but the occasional hard thick spike. I know it's not much to go on!!

[Ferguson]

As he is happy for you to cut roots, then Yes, go for it. There should be ample roots his side to maintain the tree.

'Suckers' I think the shoots were, and it does sound like a rather anti-social tree!

[EverythingsDozy]

It's a PITA! They were tough little buggers and I just couldn't get them up like a normal weed! Had to get the pitchfork in and pull! All my poor arms are aching

[EverythingsDozy]

I think it could be a hawthorn tree, I think they're fairly common round here.

[Ferguson]

Hawthorn is often more a large bush than a real tree, though some can get to tree size eventually. They have sharp thorns every cm or two along the twigs, and a very distinctive leaf (which should be starting to come out around now, in the south anyway.)

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wildlifegarden/atoz/h/hawthorn.aspx

[EverythingsDozy]

I am in the north so no leaves yet but a few small white flowers and the suckers definitely had thorns on!

[Merel]

Sounds like it could be blackthorn. They have white flowers at this time of year and no leaves. If it is a well established tree, then hacking a bit of root off shouldn't kill it.