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Original poster

What can we do about neighbours tree

49 replies

ScottishStottie · 22/02/2020 20:56

Neighbour has a big tree in his garden. It shades our garden completely, leaving the grass very dry and struggling to grow. Tree is not maintained or cut back ever.

Neighbour has told us he also does not like the tree but cant afford to do anything about it. So basically said that if we paid, he would 'let' us get rid of it. But this grates a bit, why should we swallow the cost, its his tree??

Noticed that its encroaching into telephone(?) Wires going into the house. Tbh not actually sure what the wires are for. But they must do something.

If it looks likely to damage the wires, can we force him to do something about it? Had a look on council website but only found stuff about public area trees, not private garden trees.

Attached pics of said tree for reference.

What can we do about neighbours tree
What can we do about neighbours tree
OP posts:
Theworldisfullofgs · 22/02/2020 20:59

No you can't force him.
Your lucky he is saying you could do something.

Original poster
ScottishStottie · 22/02/2020 21:01

If the tree ends up damaging the wires can we do anything at that point?

OP posts:
AndromedaPerseus · 22/02/2020 21:01

Go halves with him

Original poster
ScottishStottie · 22/02/2020 21:02

We would be happy to go halves, but he wont go for that. He cant afford anything apparently.

OP posts:
Herocomplex · 22/02/2020 21:04

Is it an evergreen? It’s hard to tell.

BentNeckLady · 22/02/2020 21:06

The only thing you can do about it is offer to pay to have it removed yourselves.

Original poster
ScottishStottie · 22/02/2020 21:07

Its green and leafy all year round, thats evergreen isnt it? (Im no good at gardening stuff 😂)

I just want a nice lawn, easy to manage or so i thought, last summer just had dry mud with some grass struggling to grow. Tree gives constant shade.

OP posts:
PeppermintPasty · 22/02/2020 21:12

I’m a property lawyer and pp poster is right-you are lucky he’s saying you can do something about it. Do it, it will end up being the cheapest and quickest way of dealing with it, i.e. if you pay for it yourselves.

You could complain, you could possibly look at a legal nuisance (not much cop there I think). I really think that you should keep him onside, and get a tree surgeon in to cut it down, assuming it’s not subject to a Tree Preservation Order. Inform the council of any future plans anyway.

Janus · 22/02/2020 21:13

You may not like it but do you want to see all the houses opposite as your constant outlook?
All trees have to be checked that they don’t have a TPO (tree preservation order) on them, sorry I can’t remember how you do this?? But you may not be able to remove it even if you want to.
But anyway, sorry but I agree with your neighbour, if you want to get rid you must look into it and then pay (and be grateful he’s just letting you do that!).

Original poster
ScottishStottie · 22/02/2020 21:15

So if it damages wires leading into our house and we lose our phoneline or electricity, theres nothing we can do?? That doesnt seem right?

OP posts:
Standrewsschool · 22/02/2020 21:18

I think legally you can cut overhanging branches.

HappyHammy · 22/02/2020 21:19

Maybe contact the phone and electric companies and say youre concerned about potential problems

99problemsandthecatis1 · 22/02/2020 21:20

He's said you can remove it, so do it. Yes you'll have to pay but if it makes your lives better then it'll be worth it. He may not be attached to the tree but he has no reason to actually do anything about. I don't really blame him - there's loads better ways you can spend £400 if it's not causing him a nuisance.

I think he's been very generous in saying that you can have it removed.

Rootd · 22/02/2020 21:22

They will just lop off the branches encroaching the wires. You can't compel him to take the tree down. I wouldn't anger him. He can deny you the ability to do anything to that tree if he so chooses.

HeronLanyon · 22/02/2020 21:23

Looks from the top fronds as though it’s a laylandii which has been shaped/trimmed at the bottom.
If that’s your grass in photo 1 it doesn’t look as though it struggling to grow ?? Although in summer things may be very different of course.
I’d simply do it yourself if you can afford it - I think it’s great he has said this.
Avoid bird nesting season - a tree surgeon will not remove it March-September. You will need to check with local authority as to whether you need any permission to remove.
I personally would think about reducing it - we need all the tress we can save. Trouble with that is it will be looking every 3/4 years and who knows who your new neighbour may be in future.

99problemsandthecatis1 · 22/02/2020 21:23

So if it damages wires leading into our house and we lose our phoneline or electricity, theres nothing we can do?? That doesnt seem right?

Are the wires on your property? If so, you are legally permitted to cut back branches which overhang which would prevent the issue. If the wires are not on your land, then it's the providers issue.

Toria70 · 22/02/2020 21:23

Our NDN has got a walnut tree in their garden, but it hangs over our garden more than theirs. They've had no maintenace done on it for over 20 years, and it's now touching our garage and the gutters on our house. It had a TPO on it, and they plead poverty even though we've offered to pay half to cut it back. It's no inconvenience to them as most of it covers our garden and not theirs.

It covers our garden in shit all year round and I've spent most of today sweeping up a pile of leaves and filling two garden wheelie bins that we have to pay for to keep on top of the gardening from it. I'm ashamed to say I've googled ways to kill a walnut tree far more than once.................

HeronLanyon · 22/02/2020 21:24

‘Need lopping’ not ‘be looking’

Itwasntme1 · 22/02/2020 21:25

I think you are clutching at straws with the power lines. Get a quote for having it removed, then decide if it’s worth it for you.

As @PeppermintPasty said you are really lucky you can chop it down. My neighbours planted a row of fast growing trees tight up against my fence and go bloody draft when I trim the overhanging branches.

Aloe6 · 22/02/2020 21:25

If he’s offering to let you chop it down then you should snatch his hand off. You only have the legal right to trim back to the boundary line.

Really123456 · 22/02/2020 21:28

Looks like you can chop it down but by but yourself tbh.. doesn't appear to be one big trunk?

AhoyMrBeaver · 22/02/2020 21:30

Depending where you are in the country it shouldn't cost much more than £200 to have it felled and taken away.

GreenTulips · 22/02/2020 21:34

I think you’re right, it doesn’t look like a solid trunk - and few people round with some saws would get rid of it.

Then hammer in some copper nails and light a fire over the summer

Defenbaker · 22/02/2020 21:39

Your neighbour may be telling the truth about not having the money to sort out the tree, or maybe he's just being tight and hoping you will pay, but in your position I think you should just accept he is not going to contribute and get on with having it removed, at your own cost. That looks like an evergreen tree, they are extremely thirsty trees and the dry shade they create means that nothing else thrives beneath them.

We have THREE large oak trees casting shade over part of my garden, none of which are our trees. Only one of the 3 neighbours involved would agree to have her tree reduced in size, but pleaded poverty. We paid, it has improved the light levels. One of the remaining trees is horribly misshapen and overgrown, it has never been pruned in the last 25 years. I would happily pay to have it reduced in size but the neighbour is an irresponsible moron who won't co-operate at all. It looks quite dangerous and drops large branches occssionally. I will have no sympathy if it lands on his roof one day.

Life is short, get rid as soon as possible, then enjoy the sun, it will be worth the money.

Dowser · 22/02/2020 21:42

I have no trees, but behind me is a huge sycamore, to the side an apple orchard and a huge lime tree
All hang over my tiny bit of land. I’d snatch the hand off your neighbour to cut them down
Get your mates and have a tree cutting party

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