AIBU to resent being asked to pay for neighbours cutting back our tree?

Meh. I always pay for all the upkeep of my trees. After all, they are mine and if my neighbour wants a tree cut back I will sort it - regardless of them declining it in the past. I know the law does not require it, but it's the right thing to do. Similarly, if a neighbour wanted a tree near the boundary removed with good reason, I would do that at my cost.

If I really wanted to plant a tree no one else can ask me to spend money on, I would plant it in the middle of my garden so it doesn't affect neighbours in any way.

Maybe just place them in their garden rather than half in.

Those scumbag lowlifes, planting trees 🙄

This happened to somebody I know. The person who didn't own the tree put nails into the tree in question which caused it to die. It was very obvious who had done this but as it could not be proved, nothing could be done.

I agree with you 💯 there are some very entitled people around, that rely on the antiquated tree rules. We all know the ones just let them get on with it it till something doesn't go their way, then we will hear all about it no doubt.

"It’s sign of being an utter lowlife in my opinion"

Could they just have wanted privacy?

My scumbag neighbours planted huge trees right along the boundary as close to my house and as far from theirs as possible. It’s sign of being an utter lowlife in my opinion. Legally you might not be responsible for managing it but you are responsible for any damage or harm it causes. They neighbours obviously isn’t impressed with you either if they taking about throwing the tree waste into your garden (where it rightfully belongs).

OP's attempt to care for the overhang in the past was refused. The mistake was not putting it in writing and insisting on access, taking a legal route if necessary.

I would be tempted to pursue shared costs this time because of that and a formal agreement moving forward in which OP continues to care for the tree at her own cost.

My concern would be if they hack it back will the tree survive whereas if you pay someone they will probably do a better job. It’s the wrong season for tree trimming it’s much better done end of autumn. I’d be tempted to point out any nesting birds and get the whole tree trimmed when you’d normally do your side.

As a previous large trees in garden owner, this is the cost of those trees IMO. You took that responsibility on when you bough the house and knew you had a tree on a boundary.

There is a compromise with the neighbour about who / how / cost should be sorted.

FWIW, I do not think a boundary dispute (which affects any house sale in future) is not worth falling out over tree surgeon costs. Get it trimmed, pay up, move on in life and enjoy your nice tree.

There are classic types of MN posters who simply love to post blaming posts like this with silly "why didn't you?" advice that is of no use to the current situation.

It's an odd character trait but it takes all sorts I suppose.

If I like the tree then I’d prefer to pay and get it done in a way I find aesthetically pleasing, I also don’t see much difference in doing it annually versus once every few years.

yes you can refuse, but thr risk is you won’t like what it looks like.

What if you bought a house that happened to have a tree on a boundary which many have?

Trees live for years!
I have a huge tree on my boundary that predates the houses being built - should I get that dug up and moved too?

Often on MN posters just like to post a silly, snippy "you should have" post but this one really takes the biscuit.

What utter nonsense.

Why plant your tree on the boundary. I would never entertain buying a property that does for exactly the situation you are in.

Be as unaware of reality all you want, that is how it works and there is nothing else to say about the matter. Pay for it, do it yourself, or leave it.

You're just making rubbish up. This has no legal basis.

Sorry, I've just ended up grumpy due to people expecting others to deal with their stuff, can you imagine if we put our car in their front garden and expected them to deal with it cause it was in their garden. Not a you thing apologise again.

@PlutarchHeavensbee Is a laurel hedge deciduous? I don't know exactly what type it is, but I thought they were evergreen.

Yes but the comment I replied to was saying if they were the neighbour that didn’t own the tree.

Yabu. It's your tree, you should deal with it. You should also be asking whether they mind your tree growing over onto their side, as a courteous neighbour.

I always trim my trees so they don't encroach on neighbours. I have one that's a bit questionable and I've said to the neighbours they can remove any branches that annoy them, or I'm happy to.

You're right - I will look into it again. Thanks for the kick up the arse!

OK, it costs £300 but what does it cost for you to get it cut?

All you need to do is write to them and ask them to talk to you about it, if the answer is no then go to The Council.

I suggest making one application for the lot

Very strangely it's the person that owns the tree complaining, not the neighbours it's most odd.

Why would you need legal advice? The neighbour who owns the tree doesn’t have to pay to trim it on your side, you can legally trim it from your side only up to the boundary and then offer the cuttings back