Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

91 replies

Nicolasaa9 · 06/06/2026 20:43

I know some of you may disagree, but I’m genuinely looking for advice.

I’m disabled, use a wheelchair, and have severe mobility issues after breaking my spine ten years ago. My neighbour has a tree that’s now around 25 feet tall in our very teeny tiny new build gardens. It’s basically taking up a 1/4 of their garden and It’s growing into my garden, has damaged my fence, blocked our drains twice with leaves, blocks my garden drainage by my doors and constantly covers my AstroTurf in debris.

I had artificial grass installed because I physically can’t maintain a garden, but the mess from this tree has made it impossible to keep tidy and it’s ruined my garden! I’ve politely asked my neighbours several times to trim it back and have sent notes, but nothing has been done. Even our HOA has asked them, but because the tree is on private property, they say they can’t enforce anything.

I just feel it’s inconsiderate at this point, it’s so tall I need hire someone with equipment to cut it back and I really can’t afford to pay a gardener right now. Yes I have people who can help cut it but it’s so tall you would need equipment. I would never expect my neighbours to put up with damage and ongoing mess from something on my property and it makes me so depressed because it’s basically ruining my garden, what would you do in this situation? The council said they can’t do anything as it’s not causing an issue to public paths or anything

OP posts:
PinkCatCushion · 06/06/2026 21:30

You can cut back branches that overhang (or pay someone to do it) but we are in a climate emergency so every tree counts!

TwoBagsOfCompost · 06/06/2026 21:29

LoremIpsumCici · 06/06/2026 21:10

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

What the actual fuck.

Nearly50omg · 06/06/2026 21:26

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

olympicsrock · 06/06/2026 21:12

Can you show us a picture? From your OP, the main problem seems to be leaves blowing into your garden . If the tree/ shrub is leaning on your fence and damaging it then yes they need to do something . But if the issue is leaves blowing into your garden then the only thing you can do is to pay for the branch overhanging your garden to be cut at your own cost.

UncannyFanny · 06/06/2026 21:11

Nicolasaa9 · 06/06/2026 21:00

I don’t know what it is Ai says it’s either Japanese Pittosporum or Griselinia? All I know it’s my house is three floors and it’s almost as tall as my house

Both of those are evergreen trees and Griselinia wouldn’t be that tall. There’s nothing stopping you cutting back anything overhanging the boundary. You don’t need to wait for them to do it. Hope that wasn’t too boring or predictable for you 😃

onlygeese · 06/06/2026 21:11

You are not able to bill them for a tree surgeon, if you ask nicely and cover the cost yourself they might let you work on the tree as a whole or you can cut back over hanging branches.

LoremIpsumCici · 06/06/2026 21:11

PinkTonic · 06/06/2026 21:08

What point? We need trees and gardens not concrete and pristine astroturf.

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

LoremIpsumCici · 06/06/2026 21:10

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

PinkTonic · 06/06/2026 21:08

Nicolasaa9 · 06/06/2026 21:01

Always one boring predictable miserable person who missed the point 🙄

What point? We need trees and gardens not concrete and pristine astroturf.

Lakesfun · 06/06/2026 21:05

Nicolasaa9 · 06/06/2026 21:01

Always one boring predictable miserable person who missed the point 🙄

What point? PP is right, leaves are a fact of life.

Nicolasaa9 · 06/06/2026 21:01

PinkTonic · 06/06/2026 21:00

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.

Always one boring predictable miserable person who missed the point 🙄

OP posts:
Nicolasaa9 · 06/06/2026 21:00

I don’t know what it is Ai says it’s either Japanese Pittosporum or Griselinia? All I know it’s my house is three floors and it’s almost as tall as my house

OP posts:
PinkTonic · 06/06/2026 21:00

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.

concertinacornflake · 06/06/2026 20:50

What type of tree is it?

You just have to go with the legal position.

Some trees are permitted at height, some are not.

You have legal rights to trim what overhangs your property.

Nicolasaa9 · 06/06/2026 20:49

warmsmell · 06/06/2026 20:45

YANBU I have the same problem here and have taken to sorting it out myself, paying for a gardener to do it.

What do they say when you ask them to cut it back?

I’ve seen them a hand full of times leaving our estate and very nicely asked them if they can trim the tree back as is causing issues and they just say yeah yeah it’s on the to do list or when it’s warmer or they will get around to it. They’re never rude to me just always brush it off!! I think I’m going to have to say I’m getting a tree surgeon and sending you the bill! It’s at the point where it needs a tree surgeon to sort it out.

OP posts:
warmsmell · 06/06/2026 20:45

YANBU I have the same problem here and have taken to sorting it out myself, paying for a gardener to do it.

What do they say when you ask them to cut it back?