Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Tree blocking light advice.

115 replies

rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:31

Hi all hoping you can help me. We moved house a few weeks ago into our dream house. Only problem is our elderly neighbours have an absolutely enormous tree at the side of their garden which really blocks our light in the garden and in the kitchen. We don't want to be the arsehole new neighbours as they seem very nice but I was wondering if there is a rule on height of trees and blocking light etc? For information the said tree is at the side of their house and causes them no issues at all so it'll never be delt with if we don't address it.

Thanks for any help x

OP posts:
withgraceinmyheart · 29/06/2022 18:34

Do any of the branches overhang your property? If it does you can remove them, which might reduce the density overall and let a bit more light in.

If not you’ll just have to have to ask them nicely and possibly offer to pay some/all of the costs.

Wellthatsjustswell · 29/06/2022 18:34

Speak to them and request they trim it, although it was their when you viewed the house so they might not agree to that.

www.pettyson.co.uk/about-us/our-blog/778-neighbours-trees-blocking-sunlight

Wellthatsjustswell · 29/06/2022 18:35

There 🙄

VainAbigail · 29/06/2022 18:35

A quick Google and this is the first link:

www.pettyson.co.uk/about-us/our-blog/778-neighbours-trees-blocking-sunlight

VainAbigail · 29/06/2022 18:36

Great minds @Wellthatsjustswell !

NoSquirrels · 29/06/2022 18:36

Pretty sure you have no official rights in this situation. You can have a friendly conversation about reducing it/thinning it with the help of a qualified tree surgeon and offer to pay/share costs. But I don’t think you have any right to light.

Wombat27A · 29/06/2022 18:38

Really?

Did you not notice it?

I have a poor neighbour who has just been bullied into cutting down an oak & another tree. The people bought a house called 5 Oaks, killed them off & then started on hers...

No, you can cut it back if it overhangs your property but otherwise, no... You might strike lucky & they want it "dealt" with but you should have took advice before moving if you didn't like the tree.

PinkTonic · 29/06/2022 18:40

rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:31

Hi all hoping you can help me. We moved house a few weeks ago into our dream house. Only problem is our elderly neighbours have an absolutely enormous tree at the side of their garden which really blocks our light in the garden and in the kitchen. We don't want to be the arsehole new neighbours as they seem very nice but I was wondering if there is a rule on height of trees and blocking light etc? For information the said tree is at the side of their house and causes them no issues at all so it'll never be delt with if we don't address it.

Thanks for any help x

We don't want to be the arsehole new neighbours as they seem very nice but I was wondering if there is a rule on height of trees and blocking light etc?

but that’s exactly what you are being isn’t it? You bought the house and now you want the neighbours to change something to accommodate your preferences and you’re on here trying to find out if you can make them do it. At least own it.

Original poster
rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:43

@Wellthatsjustswell appreciate that and if they say no then we'd respect that. I was just posting for advice really. We'll suck it up if needs be. We have taken lots of trees down already ( own garden) and the different it has made us incredible

OP posts:
Original poster
rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:46

@PinkTonic I really don't want to be the arse though, I really don't. We'll have a friendly chat some day and maybe bring it up. He might turn round and say yes, get rid of it or he may say no. It'll be 💯 respected no matter what.

OP posts:
RiverFlowers · 29/06/2022 18:47

So you knew the tree was there when you viewed the house, you knew the tree was there when you offered and you knew the tree was there when you completed and NOW you are complaining about it?

You can cut what overhangs but other than that, you purchased the house knowing that tree was there - you can't start making demands about it now.

This is similar to what happened to us, a new neighbour moved in behind and decided she didn't like our tree - we told her if any overhangs cut it but she wanted us to cut it down entirely as she simply "didn't like it" - it's not an evergreen so she couldn't play the "light" card. We told her in no uncertain terms that we will not be cutting the tree down....

tattychicken · 29/06/2022 18:52

What's the obsession about ripping out trees these days? Can't bear it. Unless they are damaged or diseased, maintain them but otherwise leave them be.

Original poster
rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:53

@RiverFlowers well I'm not trying to be annoying and the house is amazing so a tree wasn't going to put us off. I'm simply asking for advice on light. I'm sorry if your neighbour was a nightmare. We however have had a great relationship with the neighbours so far and we won't be looking to change that. I remember when I was younger our neighbours giving off stink because the trees in the house behind were too high and the council sending letter to the offending home owner demanding they cut them. We wouldn't even be demanding about it even if we had rights as I wouldn't upset them.

OP posts:
bloodyunicorns · 29/06/2022 18:53

I really hope you don't mean you have taken trees down over the last few weeks, IN BIRD NESTING SEASON? But I fear you do. And if you have, I lose all sympathy for you.

Original poster
rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:54

@bloodyunicorns it was ivy all over the house and a few bushes all around the front door, not trees. My apologies

OP posts:
MintJulia · 29/06/2022 18:55

Try talking to them. Ask if they will allow you to prune the tree back evenly (their side as well as yours) so it is not destabilised, and maintains a balanced look.

Original poster
rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:55

@bloodyunicorns plus it was a qualified tree surgeon, not us.

OP posts:
slowquickstep · 29/06/2022 18:56

TBH you have a bloody cheek, that tree has not grown in the few months since you viewed the property. If i was your neighbour i would tell you to bugger off. If you moved next to a church would you moan about the bells ringing ? I bet you would.

PinkTonic · 29/06/2022 18:56

rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:46

@PinkTonic I really don't want to be the arse though, I really don't. We'll have a friendly chat some day and maybe bring it up. He might turn round and say yes, get rid of it or he may say no. It'll be 💯 respected no matter what.

You specifically asked if there are laws!

Original poster
rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:57

@MintJulia thank you for replying, yes that's what we were thinking too. We'll have a friendly chat with them and assess the situation

OP posts:
Sallypally0 · 29/06/2022 18:58

Wow. What sort of tree is that? Astonishing that a tree can shoot up so quickly in between you viewing and moving in.

Original poster
rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:58

@PinkTonic yes, but even if they told me I could whip the tree down at midnight, I wouldn't do it at the expense of making my (lovely) annoyed. I would only do it if they actually allowed us too.

OP posts:
Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 29/06/2022 18:59

You can have the canopy thinned by a tree surgeon. This increases the light penetrating the branches but does not affect the overall height of the tree. if it is an old tree, the process will be beneficial , it lets light into the centre of the tree and helps to prevent branches thinning and dying back.

I've just had three big trees thinned, they are all putting on new growth ( in a controlled sort of a way). They don’t sway around so alarmingly in a high wind.

Personally , I would offer to pay for and arrange this work if you want it done, and it is mainly for your benefit.

Original poster
rubberhead · 29/06/2022 18:59

@Sallypally0 there is no need for sarcasm. I was simply asking for advise.

OP posts:
VainAbigail · 29/06/2022 19:01

We have taken lots of trees down already ( own garden)

This is very different to

ivy all over the house and a few bushes all around the front door