Felling Tree - Neighbours?

[SouthsideTexas]

I have a large, ugly conifer (Lawson Cypress, to be precise) in my front garden. There is no TPO in place. Have owned the house about a year & the previous owners let it get completely out of control. It’s very tall and very bushy

I had hoped to somehow bring it back under control so got a couple of tree surgeons out this week to have a look. They have all said it’s beyond that and the only safe option is to get rid of it.

The tree is completely on my land, but the foliage encroaches slightly on my neighbours side. I don’t think the tree surgeon will need access to their side when completing the removal. There’s
nothing they can really do to stop me, as there’s no TPO & it’s on my side, but I think they might have a whinge about it going nonetheless. I am mindful though that they have small children who may nap in the daytime. Would you

A) say nothing

B) Tell them it’s happening but head off any whinging by explaining I’ve engaged three separate tree surgeons who have all said the tree must go, that all the mess will be cleared up & that they’re welcome to the chippings for their garden if they’d like, and it’s happening on X day just so they are aware for LO’s nap times.

very glad that it will be done in autumn, please reject a summer appointment if they give you one.

all trees are wonderful, but if this tree is too big, and you really need to chop it down, i think it is fair enough and morally acceptable provided :

• you harm no creatures (hence the autumn or winter felling)
• you leave some dead wood in place, ideally the stump, as a tithe to nature. Dead wood is vital for hundreds of animals. Some trees offer more habitat as dead wood than as a living tree, which is why in forests (rather than tree plantations), dead wood is left in situ.
• plant a replacement tree after the ground is conditioned for a year or two with green manure (usually a legume crop that enriches the soil) perhaps a rowan, crab apple, a hawthorn, a hazelnut, any sort or sorbus? Not only because trees are fab, but also vital for any ecosystem and for birds and insects.
• until the new tree is large, you feed the birds regularly, helping them in exchange for taking their shelter away. You dont have to, it would be nice anyway.

hope it goes well, and paves the way for longer term ecological improvement.

@nightfairy Safety is the main reason - it’s got out of control height and width wise. I’m not entertaining the rest of your peculiar post.

@AppleButter The spot isn’t suitable for a large tree, due to the proximity of the house. That’s why I plan to replace with flowers instead. The stump will be left behind, though.

There will likely be a neighbour on the other side too. Trees in gardens are good things -as long as they are the right size for the plot. The fact that they drop pollen and have roots is part of the nature of trees… People are allowed - nay, should be encouraged - to have trees - of the right size and type - in their gardens.

let the neighbours know.

if you get it removed completely (including roots) improve the soil (loads of horse manure or compost) and plant something nice in it's place.

So much batshittery on here whenever someone talks about a tree coming down. "tithe to nature"? Good grief.

OP, just let the neighbours know a few days before in case they have plans - I assume the location of the tree means it's not safe for them to be in their garden during the removal. It doesn't take long but best to give them warning.

it’s got out of control height and width wise

Yes, that's called growing. Trees grow. I very much doubt it 'got out of control" in the year since you bought the property with the offending tree on it, though.

Well, quite. Trees need management, it didn't grow to mammoth proportions overnight and unnoticed.

It is the wrong tree in the wrong place. She can plant a more suitable tree and other plants that will do a better job for the environment than a crappy Cyprus. Trees do need to be kept under control by pruning if near housing and most evergreens are notoriously bad for pruning - they just go bald or die back- hence why tree surgeons say take it down.
take it down and replace with something far nicer that provides a better environment and habitat for our native species

Lawson cypress are completely the wrong tree in a British front garden.

I would let your neighbours know it's coming down and when. Give them a couple of days' notice. Not long enough to make a big song and dance about it. Book it for autumn.

Ps I am heavily involved in a campaign to save an ancient tree which is causing issues to someone's much more recently built conservatory so I am very pro tree!

Please plant back at least a small ornamental tree …there are some lovely ones out there that are native or hybrids of natives . They provide a much needed habits for birds and insects…look at ornamental cherries, crab apples, sorbis (ornamental Rowans), and Acers. Also plant a couple of dense evergreen shrubs for cover for birds. Something like a hebe etc .
They can all be kept well under control and will provide year round interest if chosen with care.
also, as others have said don’t cut down now.wait another 4 weeks. Until nesting and fledging season is done.
yes, tell your neighbour what you’re doing. Hopefully they see it as a good thing anyway if near their house too.

I would plant another tree though, not just flowers. Ask the arborist for suggestions of what will work in the space.

Op sorry but I cannot see the drama about telling the neighbours. Just knock the door or put a note through saying the tree surgeon is coming on this date it may be a bit noisy. Job done

We had a whole lot of leylandii which had taken over our garden cut down last year - best thing we have ever done.
We have a big garden and there were over 40 huge trees, we only found evidence of one old nest in all of those trees - it was far too thick and dense for any birds. They much prefer our mixed hedge of hawthorn, holly, beech and elm.

I agree that it's totally the wrong tree for a small garden, you cannot prune them or cut them back as they don't back grow from old wood and they just deprive the area of water and nutrients.

Ignore the tree huggers, your plans sound ideal, just warn your neighbours a few days before about the disturbance, if they don't like it too bad.

There are some batshit responses on here. Trees are obviously important ecologically, but the wrong tree in the wrong place can be a problem and need to come down. Replacing it with a smaller ornamental tree sounds like a good plan.

We have a tree coming down this week. It's a shame because it was a beautiful beech, but unfortunately it is rotten and unsafe. A section of it fell in the February storms and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage. The rest needs to go before it injures humans or animals. Fortunately there is nothing nesting in it - there not enough foliage to hide a nest. The only thing that likes it is the local woodpecker but we will leave a 3m stump for him to peck at. We also have a handful of ash trees that I fear might be affected by ash dieback. Sadly no tree is forever.

Without trees, we would be suffering a lot more. We need trees, they are the lungs of this planet earth!
The pine tree mentioned here, does grow too tall, dominates and darkens the garden and can prevent other plants, shrubs growing. It is a conifer, it is evergreen and does not shed leaves.
If you want to remove it, tell your neighbour. He cannot stop you from removing the tree. You can suggest planting a shrub in place or he can plant a shrub.
I can understand that trees are often used for privacy, so either one can put something else up.
Just go for it! chop it down and replace it with a prettier plant/shrub that suits your garden.