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Original poster

Next door's bloody tree

164 replies

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 09/05/2026 17:29

What can I do about the tree next door that blocks the sun in my garden for most of the day? I wouldn't expect it to be chopped down but it needs properly paring back. I spoke with my neighbour and she says it's expensive so if I want it done I have to pay.

what's reasonable? Are there precedents?

thanks

OP posts:
Callmeback · 09/05/2026 17:48

Seems perfectly fair that you pay in this circumstance.

Astra53 · 09/05/2026 17:51

For the sake of the peace and the sun, pay for it yourself. Just make sure to get consent in writing.

Whaleandsnail6 · 09/05/2026 17:52

You can trim any branches that overhang your garden

Other than that, as long as the tree isn't dangerous, I doubt there is anything you can do, unless it is a hedge when there is a height limit.

WhatAMarvelousTune · 09/05/2026 17:54

I don’t really see why she would pay for this. She could tell you a flat out no because she likes the tree. It doesn’t sound like it’s causing any issue beyond shade ie it’s not dangerous?

EasternStandard · 09/05/2026 17:55

It’s fair that you pay.

Pinkdumpling · 09/05/2026 18:07

I love trees.
I had a massive one huge beast right out side my flat window, so much privicy birds and soud lovely when it rained.
Well next door said it was messing with her WIFI, was it fuck.
She complained to the local H/A.
I woke up one morning hearing some nosie looked out my first floor flat window, and bam they was cutting it down.
Fucking ruined it it looks awful now its just a trunk in the ground.
I think the tree had been growing around 30 years.

I never really appreciated trees when i was younger, but as i got older it changed and i love them.

Giraffeandthedog · 09/05/2026 18:09

I think your neighbour is being very reasonable by agreeing to have it pruned at all.

Advocodo · 09/05/2026 18:10

I would just pay to have it trimmed.

GuelderRoses · 09/05/2026 18:11

@Notmycircusnotmyotter What species of tree is it? You would need to check whether it has a tree preservation order (TPO) on it before anything is done to it. You will probably have to wait until the right time of year, which is not now. It is nesting season and it is illegal to disturb nesting birds in any way. It also depends on the species of tree, as they all have a different requirements when it comes to the right time of year to prune.

By the way - if it is a large tree, and was already there long before you moved in, it has just as much right to be there as you do.

AgnesMcDoo · 09/05/2026 18:11

If you want it cut back then you need to pay

ThejoyofNC · 09/05/2026 18:31

Your neighbour is absolutely right.

Trees don't grow overnight so I'm assuming it was there when you bought the house.

Original poster
Notmycircusnotmyotter · 09/05/2026 18:40

Why is it fair that I pay? I'm not asking for it to be chopped down - I'm not a monster - but her tree ruins my garden.

genuine question. Ive never lived in a terraced house before.

OP posts:
WhatAMarvelousTune · 09/05/2026 18:42

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 09/05/2026 18:40

Why is it fair that I pay? I'm not asking for it to be chopped down - I'm not a monster - but her tree ruins my garden.

genuine question. Ive never lived in a terraced house before.

Because you are the one who has an issue with it.

If you say you’ve never lived in a terrace house before, I assume you recently moved in? So the tree was there when you looked round and decided to rent/buy? Completely unreasonable to move in somewhere and then take issue with an existing tree!

Original poster
Notmycircusnotmyotter · 09/05/2026 18:42

I think it's a bit nuts to say it was here before I was.

For the third time I do not want it cut down. I love trees and nature. But it's bloody huge and I would like about 20% of it cut back because that part has grown since I bought the house years ago and it's now huge and shrouds my garden in shade.

OP posts:
Original poster
Notmycircusnotmyotter · 09/05/2026 18:44

I've been here 3 years and this year the extent to which it has grown is really apparent.

Legally is this on me then? I'm surprised something on her property that's negatively impacting me in mine is a cost for me.

OP posts:
ThejoyofNC · 09/05/2026 18:45

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 09/05/2026 18:42

I think it's a bit nuts to say it was here before I was.

For the third time I do not want it cut down. I love trees and nature. But it's bloody huge and I would like about 20% of it cut back because that part has grown since I bought the house years ago and it's now huge and shrouds my garden in shade.

Exactly. YOU would like it cut back because YOU want sun in your garden. Thats why YOU need to pay. Your neighbour has no problem and therefore shouldn't spend their money to please you.

Legolaslady · 09/05/2026 18:45

Yeah ..I see your point but it's not bothering her. So why would she pay for something that will only benefit you?

bigfishlittlefishtupperwarebox · 09/05/2026 18:45

Trees will grow. She could turn round and say she doesn't want it touched and there's not a thing you could do, its no benefit to her to get any work done on it if it isn't bothering her at all. Unfortunately for you, if you want it cut back you'll have to pay

GuelderRoses · 09/05/2026 18:47

Well if you love nature, then you will understand that no work can be done on it during nesting season. Even if there are no nests in that tree, there are bound to be some very close by, and the work would cause the birds to be disturbed. As I said before, it is illegal.

Wnat species of tree is it?

WhatAMarvelousTune · 09/05/2026 18:47

I genuinely can’t understand thinking that your neighbour should pay for this.

CloudyBayPlease · 09/05/2026 18:49

If it bothers you, you should offer to pay for a tree surgeon to reduce the crown. We had one of ours reduced last summer, I think it cost £300.

bignewprinz · 09/05/2026 18:49

I would consider yourself very lucky that you have a neighbour willing to allow you to reduce it. Bite her hand off and get it done before she changes her mind.

MissMoneyFairy · 09/05/2026 18:50

20% is a lot, it would need more than a gardener and would be expensive. It will grow back so how often do you expect it to be trimmed.

WallaceinAnderland · 09/05/2026 18:50

Legally is this on me then? I'm surprised something on her property that's negatively impacting me in mine is a cost for me.

Yes, legally you can trim any branches that overhang your garden but that's as far as you can go.

WallaceinAnderland · 09/05/2026 18:53

Also, legally any branches cut off should be offered to the neighbour.

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