Neighbour's newly planted tree?

[jaffacakesallround]

I think I know the answer to this already but here goes.
New neighbours, re-vamped their front garden and have just planted a tree next to the boundary fence with our front garden.
Not sure what the tree is - it looks like a flowering maple similar to one in our rear garden- which grows to around 15 feet high and about 10 feet across. In time their tree will block a lot of light from our dining room window, and it's already a dark room.

It's not opposite the window, but alongside.

Don't suppose there is anything we can ever do about it- apart from cutting off branches which may overhang the fence is time.

[NaturalBaby]

My concern would be about the roots. How far from house is it?

[Floggingmolly]

Ask them to move it. Planting a giant tree practically on the boundary ensures you'll get as much of it as they will.

[jaffacakesallround]

It's a long way from the house really- well- it's at the bottom of their front garden, but halfway down ours- so it's about 6-8 feet from our house wall but in front of the house IYSWIM, not alongside.

[oscarwilde]

www.gardenlaw.co.uk/trees.html

See the safe distances list. I'd pop around and ask for details of the tree type

[MillyMollyMama]

6-8 feet from your house is way too close for a maple which will grow to 15+ feet! Please ask them to move it. There is a real risk of subsidence when it takes moisture out of the ground and it will grow wider in time, as you say. Could they not have a smaller shrub instead?

[LadyMaryLikesCake]

I have four that are trying to grow at the front of my house. I didn't plant them, they have just grown. Maybe she hasn't planted them? I'm waiting for the weather to improve so that I can dig them up and do something with them as they will affect the foundations //www.google.co.uk/search?q=maple+tree&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=AppCU9nyM-Kc0AWLyIHgDg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1273&bih=616#q=maple%20tree%20leaf&revid=422385584&rls=en&tbm=isch&imgdii=_

Anyone want a maple tree?

[itsnothingoriginal]

Hmm doesn't sound like they have planted for screening so could be annoying for you to lose your light and to worry about roots etc.

We have some trees very close to neighbours boundary but they are necessary for screening as they have a direct view into all our windows. If this wasn't the case, I definitely wouldn't have trees that close or would have chosen smaller shrubs for interest.

Do you think they realise how big it will get? Sometimes is hard to picture when you plant a young tree!!

[littlecrystal]

Are you sure it is not one of decorative Japanese maples that don't grow tall at all?

[Aethelfleda]

We planted fruit trees along our border... With dwarf trees that I am fan training so that they don't get too high or unwieldy. Maybe worth checking with them exactly what it is, then check the mature height and ask them nicely to keep it trimmed... Worth a try as they are allowed to plant anything they like really, but may not be aware of its potential. I speak for a former house where the previous owners planted two "pretty" eucalyptus trees and then ran like the wind as they grew and grew....