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Original poster

Someone has cut my hedge

294 replies

MeltingSugs · 16/08/2019 07:52

I got home yesterday to find that half of my hedge has been cut Hmm

For context, the garden has needed a tremendous amount of work here. I do not proclaim to be a super gardener, but the hedge has improved a lot since we've been here with the right pruning - I am always out in the garden. This year, I have been letting the top of it grow up to even out the height ready for cutting in the autumn. To get home and find (half) of the top of it has been cut right back, and wonky, has made me quite cross.

Neighbour on the opposite side has no idea what's happened, neighbour on the side with the hedge is (so far) ignoring my text.

So as not to drip feed, the hedge is entirely on my land, it is not 'on the boundary' and therefore on my neighbour's land. The half that has been cut actually protrudes into my garden as it grew wonky, meaning my neighbour has some of my front garden. Prizes for guessing how long it's going to stay like that now!

Providing it is the neighbour, how do I be firm but fair in discussing this with them? I want to make it very clear that they are not to do anything on my property ever, but I don't want to fall out. This neighbour has told me that they felt out with the people who lived in our house before us. I think the friendship is definitely dented now though Sad

OP posts:
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wowfudge · 16/08/2019 07:59

Don't send texts about this kind of thing - always have a face to face conversation.

When you say half of it has been cut, do you mean along the length the half on their side has been cut or halfway along? They are probably under the mistaken belief that it's jointly owned. It may even be someone they know thinking they are doing them a favour. Try not have a falling out over it.

Bluntness100 · 16/08/2019 08:05

They were out of line cutting it, so you need to be polite but fair, don't leave blood on the table, but state they are not allowed to interfere with your property and you will seek criminal action if it happens again.

On the other side. I have a neighbour who refuses to cut down her hedge. It's really really pissing me off, as it's incredibły high and obtrusive. She has refused, I would not dream of touching it, and I'm trying very hard not to focus on it, but I have to be honest and say it's soured now I feel about her. It would make no difference to her as where it is she can't actually see it, it's our light that's impacted, but I asked, I offered to pay and she said no. I simply have to live with that.

ArgusFilchsCat · 16/08/2019 08:46

Got to see a diagram OP! Can't work out where the hedge is or how they have some of your garden. I'd be fuming if someone did this to my garden. I had a similar situation with a new neighbour who cut down and killed a beautiful climber IN my garden! We dont speak now as she has zero boundaries.

Original poster
MeltingSugs · 16/08/2019 09:07

Only texted the neighbours to ask if they knew what happened, as neither was in when I got home.

Sod diagrams you can have photos in a minute. My nextdoor neighbours the their side have CCTV and they think it is someone down the road who has done it and not the neighbour! They're bringing the footage round shortly...

OP posts:
MrsMozartMkII · 16/08/2019 09:10

I can't be arsed to get angry about most things in life, but that would really piss me off.

Weenurse · 16/08/2019 09:10

👀🍿

Original poster
MeltingSugs · 16/08/2019 09:20

Right photos. I am too pissed off to share my shitty ability at drawing hence marked photos.

Photo 1 - side profile of my hedge. Blacked out bits so the location is less noticeable. From the left to the bird table has not been touched. From the bird table to the right, the top has been hacked off. Yellow line shows the top of the hedge now.

Photo 2 - this whole wall belongs to me. The yellow line represents the boundary (which is mine to maintain) as per the deeds. The blue line shows where the hedge is. It goes back up to the boundary closer to the property, but is 100% on my land where it has been cut.

Someone has cut my hedge
Someone has cut my hedge
OP posts:
Original poster
MeltingSugs · 16/08/2019 09:22

Waiting for nice neighbours to come over for a cuppa with the CCTV Sad

OP posts:
CottonSock · 16/08/2019 09:22

Cctv, amazing.. like a true from drama. Sorry about your hedge though op.

Original poster
MeltingSugs · 16/08/2019 09:23

FYI it is neighbour AND this randomer down the road apparently. Neighbour still ignoring text and does appear to be at home. Need to see CCTV then knock on some doors I think Angry

OP posts:
Weenurse · 16/08/2019 09:25

Can’t wait to see response

Weenurse · 16/08/2019 09:25

Photos not showing up

Soontobe60 · 16/08/2019 09:28

Can't see the photos!

Viviene · 16/08/2019 09:28

Photos are there, I can see them.

CoraPirbright · 16/08/2019 09:29

Oh no! I cant see the photos! Gah!

Hoping the cctv shows who has done it. I would absolutely flip my lid - how dare someone come and do that on your land! I would threaten them with going to the police for criminal damage to really put the wind up them (wouldn’t actually do that though).

elephantoverthehill · 16/08/2019 09:29

Unfortunately no photos!

EarringsandLipstick · 16/08/2019 09:30

I can see photos (on app)

Fibbsdottir · 16/08/2019 09:32

I think they are totally allowed to cut the bit that lines their garden. Sorry.

whiteroseredrose · 16/08/2019 09:35

I'd be furious. There could be nesting birds and all kinds of wildlife in a hedge at this time of year.

Original poster
MeltingSugs · 16/08/2019 09:35

Hopefully photos will appear soon for those who can't see.

How dare anybody do something to my property without consulting me? I can't even figure out why they may have thought it was helpful. Just meddling. I thought I was really REALLY good friends with nextdoor. Clearly I'm an idiot. FFS, am cross at myself now for thinking she was a good neighbour.

Have sent her another text saying I encourage her to please come and talk to me. Nothing back. I will be going round when I have had tea and hopefully been calmed by the nice neighbour.

OP posts:
Bellystuffer · 16/08/2019 09:36

They can only cut what actually hangs over their boundary, if it's all on OP's land they needed to leave it alone, however much they may dislike it.

Original poster
MeltingSugs · 16/08/2019 09:36

@Fibbsdottir they have cut the top. It is 100% on my land. See photo 2.

OP posts:
Original poster
MeltingSugs · 16/08/2019 09:38

And I do cut the hedge. It is not just left all year. I have cut it back three times in two years. It was in a phase of strong growth which I was going to cut back this autumn but nowhere near as severely as they have cut it.

OP posts:
Morgan12 · 16/08/2019 09:41

Cheeky bastard. If they were committed to doing it they could have at least done a better job! That's horrendous!

QuickThinkOfAName · 16/08/2019 09:49

Oh god that would drive me insane.

Thank god for the cctv. Cheeky fucks

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