Page 5 | Neighbour’s tree is basically living rent-free in our garden — now she’s offered us a leaf blower 🙃

Buddhabuns · 2025-05-07T08:32:06+00:00

Our neighbour’s enormous tree hangs over almost the entire width of our garden. It blocks sunlight, drops catkins and leaves everywhere, and last autumn we filled four garden bins (which we pay for) clearing up her mess. We’ve asked — nicely — twice. She trimmed a few bottom twigs, probably with nail scissors, and called it done. No difference. Now the roots are pushing up our fence, and the leaves are back in full force. Her solution? She offered to buy us a leaf blower. We already have one. We just didn’t realise we’d signed up for unpaid groundskeeping for her passive-aggressive tree. Every other neighbour manages their trees. She clearly thinks if she waits long enough, we’ll give up or vanish under the leaf pile. AIBU to think she’s completely taking the mick — and that the leaf blower offer was basically an insult?

Frequency · 07/05/2025 13:44

You bought a house with a garden and there is nature in it?
I'm not surprised you're upset by this, OP. I've never heard anything like it.

Trees in gardens. What next? Fish in the ocean?

nomas · 07/05/2025 13:42

Buddhabuns · 07/05/2025 11:20

Thanks for all the responses — I appreciate the different viewpoints (even the tougher ones!).
To clarify a few things:

Yes, the tree was already there when we bought the house five years ago, but it’s continually grown and has only been professionally maintained once.

It’s around 20 metres tall, planted less than a metre from the shared fence, and its branches stretch across almost the full width of our garden. The roots are visibly pushing up the fence, and we’re concerned about its safety in high winds.

We absolutely love wildlife and nature, but this tree is overwhelming in size. We’re dealing with the ongoing mess and safety concerns — it’s not just about leaves, it’s the constant encroachment into our space.

We’ve spoken to her nicely twice, and while she trimmed a few twigs (which made no difference), the real kicker was when she offered to buy us a leaf blower. It's not about tools, it's about the fact that the issue needs proper action.

If the roles were reversed, she’d likely push hard for a solution, possibly with council involvement. That’s been our experience before, and it's hard not to feel a bit frustrated at the double standard here.

Edited

Can you get a tree surgeon to cut it right back?

Or get council involvement yourself?

Brefugee · 07/05/2025 13:41

just putting this here (ETA: sorry realised someone else got there first)

Neighbour’s tree is basically living rent-free in our garden — now she’s offered us a leaf blower 🙃

dogcatkitten · 07/05/2025 13:39

Whyherewego · 07/05/2025 09:46

Even if a tree has a TPO or is in a conservation area you can apply to have it trimmed. And you are entitled to cut back the overhanging branches.
Unfortunately that is all at your cost and there's not much you can do about that. You are also not able to charge for disposal of their tree leaves and nor are you actually allow to throw it back over. You can offer them the cuttings back but you can't just dump them.

You can't touch a tree with a preservation order without permission, you can apply for permission. All of the tree is preserved not just the bit on the other side of the fence, so you can't trim back the branches to the fence line without permission. We have trees with TPOs that were obtained by the previous owners of our house specifically to stop the neighbours cutting them back, got quite nasty between them I believe, but well before our time.

GoldBeautifulHeart · 07/05/2025 13:38

Please don't ask her to chop it down. We are losing trees at an alarming rate but ask her to get it pointed. That's reasonable.

JustRollIt · 07/05/2025 13:35

I would get a tree surgeon round to talk to you about the tree and what could potentially be done.

We have a massive tree in our front garden that happens to be up against the fence and overhangs our neighbour's back garden due to the where the houses are. It has a huge impact on them and so we arranged for a crown reduction by our tree surgeon who we trust and the neighbours were involved in the conversation.

Trees can and do outgrow their location if they are not maintained. We have several trees and mature shrubs but our tree surgeon is back every couple of years to manage it all. We cut back what we can but it does get out of hand.

She isn't maintaining the height and the tree can become unstable and may damage your fence. Get a tree surgeon round to get informed.

BobbyBiscuits · 07/05/2025 13:35

Yeah, you're entitled to cut anything that impinges onto your property. But I get it that it seems unfair you should have to find someone and pay them when it's not yours.
I guess the council might know what to do?
I hope you get it sorted. X

Seeline · 07/05/2025 13:33

What type of tree is it?

ThejoyofNC · 07/05/2025 13:31

Decline the leaf blower and ask for a chainsaw instead.

Daisyvodka · 07/05/2025 13:31

I do sort of see what people are saying when they say 'the tree was there when you moved in' but its literally damaging OPs fence? Is OP just meant to accept this because trees are magical? I love trees and live in a green area and would hate to leave, but I'm curious as to what you would do in a scenario where a tree was, for example, blocking entryway or causing damage to your house, if you are in the 'leave the tree alone you might kill it' camp. Genuinely curious as to what the solution would be, from a non tree expert!

OldGothsFadeToGrey · 07/05/2025 13:26

echt · 07/05/2025 09:41

The tree might have a TPO on it.

You can turn the autumn leaves into nature's gift, leaf mold for the cost of a few bin liners.

We had a tree with a TPO on it cut down. We just needed to get planning permission. It wasn’t hard to get as the roots were destroying next door’s garden.

it had to be our application though, neighbour couldn’t apply to have it cut. Sounds like OP’s neighbour might be difficult about this.

LittleBitofBread · 07/05/2025 13:25

Buddhabuns · 07/05/2025 11:20

Thanks for all the responses — I appreciate the different viewpoints (even the tougher ones!).
To clarify a few things:

Yes, the tree was already there when we bought the house five years ago, but it’s continually grown and has only been professionally maintained once.

It’s around 20 metres tall, planted less than a metre from the shared fence, and its branches stretch across almost the full width of our garden. The roots are visibly pushing up the fence, and we’re concerned about its safety in high winds.

We absolutely love wildlife and nature, but this tree is overwhelming in size. We’re dealing with the ongoing mess and safety concerns — it’s not just about leaves, it’s the constant encroachment into our space.

We’ve spoken to her nicely twice, and while she trimmed a few twigs (which made no difference), the real kicker was when she offered to buy us a leaf blower. It's not about tools, it's about the fact that the issue needs proper action.

If the roles were reversed, she’d likely push hard for a solution, possibly with council involvement. That’s been our experience before, and it's hard not to feel a bit frustrated at the double standard here.

Edited

If the roles were reversed, she’d likely push hard for a solution, possibly with council involvement. That’s been our experience before

So, if you don't think talking to her again will do anything, get on to the council.

Quicksilver15 · 07/05/2025 13:08

If you’re worried about the tree in high winds than you should be seriously concerned about a good hard pruning… when the tree then fights that prune by sending out a billion small branches to replace what was lost then suddenly you have a kite, oh and also if you only prune it on one side that’s pretty destabilising too! Other than a bit of thinning it’s a myth that pruning will in any way help your circumstances infact the tree will just grow even bushier with even more leaves than before! So be careful what you wish for…

I think you need to learn to embrace the tree and think about how great a thing they are, or move house. Good luck, and I hope if nothing else you find a therapist who specialises in tree trauma.

Rubyupbeat · 07/05/2025 12:14

We had a tree at the end of our garden that overhung the neighbours garden, but was also was giving access to squirrels getting into their loft. We got a tree surgeon to cut it back a few times, but it started dying, so had the whole thing removed.

Hopelesslydevotedtoshrews · 07/05/2025 12:09

It sounds like it's an alder tree that grows very quickly (about 60cm per year according to the RHS), so I guess that's potentially 3 metres in 5 years which I think you would probably notice. It sounds like you need to get someone in to give it a really good solid prune. The good news is that it won't hurt the tree, but you'll probably have to do it every other year or so.

Trees are wonderful - but people really have to think about what they're putting in, and how they'll take care of them.

MerlinsBeard1 · 07/05/2025 12:08

What type of tree?

CautiousLurker01 · 07/05/2025 12:06

Amba1998 · 07/05/2025 09:41

You’re supposed to trim the branches and give them back to her over the fence

if the roots are causing damage and it’s interfering with your right to light you need to take legal advice

@Buddhabuns you are at liberty to cut off all overhanding branches, you simply need to offer them back (a note through the door to state that if she doesn’t contact you by X date, you will assume she doesn’t want them and dispose accordingly).

There is no right to light in garden but if the roots are damaging your fence and you’ve notified the neighbour then it may constitute ‘nuisance’. It does not matter that the tree was there prior to your purchase. But you can request that her tree is seen by a tree surgeon to be trimmed and to limit further growth - and that she pays for repairs to the fence. Technically you can also remove/dig out the roots that encroach on your land but if this kills/destabilises the tree such that it were to fall on her property/injure anyone you would be liable, so again, the advise and services of a tree surgeon would be needed - if you send a solicitor’s letter stating that this tree’s unmanaged growth constitutes nuisance and what you reasonably would like her to do to abate that nuisance before taking it to court, she may act …

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 07/05/2025 11:46

Agree with @TokyoKyoto The tree was there when you moved in, and if it's 20 metres high now, it would still have been huge just 5 years ago when you moved in. I would never buy/move into a house that has a 20 metres high tree 1 metre from the shared fence. How close it it to the house? If it's too close (less than 10 metres,) the roots could compromise your foundations. Does your insurance company know about this tree?

Why on earth did you buy this house @Buddhabuns ??? As I said, the tree would have been huge when you moved in!

Gloriia · 07/05/2025 11:35

TheAmusedQuail · 07/05/2025 09:36

You need to be blunt. Tell her if she doesn't do it herself, you're getting a tree surgeon to remove the parts that overhang / grow under your side. Which will in all likelihood kill the tree.

This.

We had similar and got all the overhanging bits removed by a tree surgeon then sent neighbours the bill.

EarlyMorningWork · 07/05/2025 11:32

Amba1998 · 07/05/2025 09:41

You’re supposed to trim the branches and give them back to her over the fence

if the roots are causing damage and it’s interfering with your right to light you need to take legal advice

Don’t throw branches back, that’s also an offence. But you should be able to trim tree, at your own expense of course.
We paid for our neighbours overhanging tree to be trimmed, as they won’t just cut back branches

Original poster

Buddhabuns · 07/05/2025 11:20

Thanks for all the responses — I appreciate the different viewpoints (even the tougher ones!).
To clarify a few things:

Yes, the tree was already there when we bought the house five years ago, but it’s continually grown and has only been professionally maintained once.

It’s around 20 metres tall, planted less than a metre from the shared fence, and its branches stretch across almost the full width of our garden. The roots are visibly pushing up the fence, and we’re concerned about its safety in high winds.

We absolutely love wildlife and nature, but this tree is overwhelming in size. We’re dealing with the ongoing mess and safety concerns — it’s not just about leaves, it’s the constant encroachment into our space.

We’ve spoken to her nicely twice, and while she trimmed a few twigs (which made no difference), the real kicker was when she offered to buy us a leaf blower. It's not about tools, it's about the fact that the issue needs proper action.

If the roles were reversed, she’d likely push hard for a solution, possibly with council involvement. That’s been our experience before, and it's hard not to feel a bit frustrated at the double standard here.

OP posts:

SharpLily · 07/05/2025 11:15

This.

MulberryPeony · 07/05/2025 11:06

Christ. Some of these replies make me thankful my neighbours aren’t Mumsnetters.

TokyoKyoto · 07/05/2025 10:54

Viviennemary · 07/05/2025 10:50

Absolutely disagree. Why should OP have to put up with this. Are trees now the new dogs. Get a tree surgeon and lop off every branch which overhangs your garden. Tell your neighbour first maybe.

Show quote history

I think you'd be hard pushed to find a tree surgeon who would do that! They have a professional reputation to uphold.

Viviennemary · 07/05/2025 10:50

GoingToGraceland · 07/05/2025 10:02

I imagine the tree was there before you, and doubt it suddenly has new roots pushing up your fence. How about you calm down and enjoy having a beautiful tree to admire? But yes, you can legally remove any overhanging branches if leaves cause you such anxiety.

We have lots of trees, many over 250 years old and quite a few with TPOs. A new estate was built behind our garden and my god, the tizzy some of the neighbours get into over our trees! They don't overhang and they were there first, but "they block the light", "they're not safe", "leaves land on my lawn", "I'm frightened to let my grandchildren play in the garden".

We need trees, trees are beautiful, trees are essential. How did humans get to a point where we can't accept leaves falling from trees ffs? And where we prefer plastic grass to the real thing?!

Absolutely disagree. Why should OP have to put up with this. Are trees now the new dogs. Get a tree surgeon and lop off every branch which overhangs your garden. Tell your neighbour first maybe.