to not want my neighbour in my garden?

[nancerama]

A new neighbour moved in next door about 6 months ago. A couple of months ago she came round to discuss the lilac tree at the end of my garden as she was concerned it was overhanging the end of her garden. I told her that I was more than happy for her to lop off anything that was overhanging her garden if it was annoying her. in all honesty I'd rather it was left as it is, as it's a beautiful tree, but I know she has every right to take down anything overhanging her garden, and I wouldn't want to spoil her enjoyment of her garden.

Now that I've agreed to let her lop off the overhanging bits, she won't let it go. She has hired some landscape gardeners to transform her garden and has asked which days I am home so that I can let them into my garden to cut off some more tree! She claims that they need to cut branches off at the trunk for the good of the tree. I was so taken aback by this request initially that I just made some noncommittal noises. Since then she's asked several times, and each time I have said that I'm happy for her to take of anything that's overhanging, but that I don't want anyone entering my garden whether I'm home or not. She won't take no for an answer and every day she asks again. I don't want to fall out with a neighbour, but I really don't see why she thinks it's ok to send workmen to my house to do work that I don't feel is needed.

Am I being obstructive, or should she back off?

I would go and talk to her and ask, ever so nicely, why she did not wait to do the tree in the afternoon as you had both agreed because you are very upset with how badly the tree has been butchered. I would just want her to explain why she went ahead when she knew the only way you would agree to the tree being trimmed was when you are there.

I would also ask her for the name of the tree surgeon that did it, get her to confirm it was a tree surgeon and not just a mate with an axe (sounds like it was the latter) - and once so you can talk to him about compensation. If it was a real tree surgeon chances are that she lied to him and said you were ok with it or forged your name on forms. I would speak to tree surgeon and report him to his professional body for doing this too, as well as finding out his side of the story (if neighbour decided to get him to take off more than he needed to just to trim to stuff over the boundary properly)

I would also put bad karma on her by reminding her how I'll your dh is and pointing out that all this constant harassment about the tree and then the butchering job that has been done has made your husband much worse and that is all her fault.

It's horrible and stressful I know - I have a hedge down the side of my drive that is actually the council's responsibility. One of the other neighbours has rung up the council and got them to cut it down from 10ft to about 2.5 making it all very open and exposed. Next door and us like the high hedge and keep telling her this - and yet she still rang the council and said we all wanted it butchering cutting right back. Pure fluke I was running late that day and spotted them cutting it, went and asked what the hell they were doing and ws told we had asked for it . Luckily it ws a decent contractor who listened to me and next door, saw other neighbour saying how it was much nicer cut down, rang his boss and got agreement to just do the bit directly in front of mad neighbour, leaving it high for me and other neighbour.

It's horrible and whilst yes it does grow back, it can take years so it isn't something that others should do when it has such a big impact on your tree!

Hurrah. We have a cash buyer. With any luck I'll be far far away from crazy lady very soon.

My new house has loads of trees

Yay good for you!

Chuck a few handfuls of poppy seeds and wildflowers over the fence before you go

Good news, congratulations nance. Chuck a load of ragwort and dandelion clocks over into her "Zen" garden as you leave. The tree-butchering bitch needs to learn about karma.

OP if you want to make her life misery plant some mint in her zen garden. Our (not zen) garden is over-run with the bloody stuff because the previous owner thought it would be a good idea to plant a 'small patch' in the borders. It's taken over so quickly and badly that we can't rip it out quick enough before it grows back with a vengeance and it's driving me mad.

I am pleased for you op.

Great news. Good to hear it worked out.

But, have you warned the new buyers not to let that woman onto the property when the tree recovers and grows over her zen pebbles and statue?

Congratulations :) Result!

Surely Japanese Knotweed is needed??!!

Knotweed planting I think, is illegal.

Japanese Knotweed is illegal but Russian vine is not or bamboo that spreads - not all do some clump.

Best thing is to just walk away. I have a neighbor like this and I'm sure when we are finally in a position to up the house up we'll have antics like this.

Watch out she doesn't try to smack you with the bill too!

sorry, havent read all the replies but I imagine that if the lilac will not grow back once it has been cut from the trunk. Hence she is trying to prevent the lilac from regrowing over her fence

oops just read other replies !