AIBU to expect my neighbour to cut back their overgrown tree?

Horrifying…!

it’s like choosing to poison someone’s cat because they poop in your garden.

not a story I’d be rolling out - or a suggestion! - I’d be making.

When I was younger we had a similar situation. My dad cut off all the trees branches so it was naked and then poisoned it at midnight. I don’t think I’d recommend that route because the neighbours hated us but it’s always an option!🤣

When I was younger we had a similar situation. My dad cut off all the trees branches so it was naked and then poisoned it at midnight. I don’t think I’d recommend that route because the neighbours hated us but it’s always an option!🤣

Wow, way to be a bitch, and if the owners find out they can sue the op.

@Nicolasaa9 m sorry it doesn’t match up with what you like in a garden ( you’d hate it round here) but we need trees and leaves are a fact of life. You are withing your rights to be cross about the fence but not the leaves, and you cannot oblige your neighbours to pay for work you want done. You are entitled to cut back overhanging branches to the boundary line and must offer back ( but not dump) the trimmings but you have to pay for it.

Ironically the leaves would be less of a problem had you not put astroturfing down, but I can understand why you might have thought it would be easier.

I’d secretly poison the tree in your position.
If it’s diseased/dying, they will be forced to cut it down.

Robotic mower would have cost about the same as the fake grass. No need for @Nicolasaa9 to cut the grass and no need to poison or roast the soil.

Now do the damage @Nicolasaa9 's fake grass causes to the environment.

Did you literally ask Claude to tell you all the bad shit about trees 😂

A neglected overgrown tree the owners refuse to properly care for is hazardous to other plant and animal life as well as humans.

Overgrown trees can lead to many problems for your garden. These trees affect everything from soil health to safety. Large trees create hidden dangers that grow worse over time.
Starving Nearby Plants of Sunlight
Dense canopies create thick shade that kills your garden. Overgrown trees can overshadow smaller plants in your garden completely. You’ll notice patchy grass and yellowing leaves. Your vegetables stop growing, and flowers won’t bloom properly.
Nutrient Competition in the Soil
Tree roots spread wide and steal water from other plants. Overgrown roots take most nutrients before flowers can use them. Your plants wilt even when you water them regularly. The soil stays dry near the tree base.
Increased Risk of Plant Disease Spread
Poor airflow around thick foliage creates damp conditions everywhere. Pests and diseases thrive in the dark, wet spots in your garden. Mold grows easily in these shaded areas. You’ll see powdery mildew and black spots on leaves.
Pest Harborage
Overgrown and unkept branches provide insects and rodents perfect hiding places. You’ll find chewed leaves and bug problems throughout your garden. Animal droppings appear on your plants regularly.
Root Damage to Garden Structures
Underground roots push into raised beds and damage pipes. They break through concrete and garden edging. Structural damage appears as cracked walkways and lifted soil. Your garden borders become misaligned and uneven.
Weakened Branches as Hazards
Heavy falling branches threaten people and damage property during storms. Weak limbs break easily, especially during storms or high winds. You’ll see low-hanging branches and splitting bark. Light winds drop twigs and small branches regularly.
Disturbed Soil Structure and Erosion
Aggressive roots change how water moves through your garden. Shaded areas develop bare patches and uneven ground. Water does not drain properly but pools in strange spots instead. It makes the soil become unstable and hard to work on.

A neglected overgrown tree the owners refuse to properly care for is hazardous to other plant and animal life as well as humans.

Overgrown trees can lead to many problems for your garden. These trees affect everything from soil health to safety. Large trees create hidden dangers that grow worse over time.
Starving Nearby Plants of Sunlight
Dense canopies create thick shade that kills your garden. Overgrown trees can overshadow smaller plants in your garden completely. You’ll notice patchy grass and yellowing leaves. Your vegetables stop growing, and flowers won’t bloom properly.
Nutrient Competition in the Soil
Tree roots spread wide and steal water from other plants. Overgrown roots take most nutrients before flowers can use them. Your plants wilt even when you water them regularly. The soil stays dry near the tree base.
Increased Risk of Plant Disease Spread
Poor airflow around thick foliage creates damp conditions everywhere. Pests and diseases thrive in the dark, wet spots in your garden. Mold grows easily in these shaded areas. You’ll see powdery mildew and black spots on leaves.
Pest Harborage
Overgrown and unkept branches provide insects and rodents perfect hiding places. You’ll find chewed leaves and bug problems throughout your garden. Animal droppings appear on your plants regularly.
Root Damage to Garden Structures
Underground roots push into raised beds and damage pipes. They break through concrete and garden edging. Structural damage appears as cracked walkways and lifted soil. Your garden borders become misaligned and uneven.
Weakened Branches as Hazards
Heavy falling branches threaten people and damage property during storms. Weak limbs break easily, especially during storms or high winds. You’ll see low-hanging branches and splitting bark. Light winds drop twigs and small branches regularly.
Disturbed Soil Structure and Erosion
Aggressive roots change how water moves through your garden. Shaded areas develop bare patches and uneven ground. Water does not drain properly but pools in strange spots instead. It makes the soil become unstable and hard to work on.

The only thing you’ve mentioned which is genuinely a reasonable thing to bring up with them is the fence if the tree has actually damaged it. Leaves fall off deciduous trees and blow about. It’s unreasonable to expect other people to keep their gardens like deserts just because you prefer plastic. You either need to pay someone to keep your garden tidy or live somewhere where you aren’t responsible for a garden.

Structural problems being caused by their tree legally you CAN do something about - contact your insurance company and get them to sort it out between them
anf the neighbours! Leaves etc is YOUR problem unfortunately so pay someone to
come once a month or twice a month to
sweep up the mess it makes. That’s all you can do legally unfortunately. Yes morally the neighbour should deal with it all but they won’t

Trees are not monstrosities.

I bet your garden is a shitty concrete and Astro monstrosity.

@LoremIpsumCici disgusting comment ! Bet you have fake grass!

Yes, but a 25ft monstrosity in a tiny postage stamp garden is going to cause more damage than good.