Neighbour asking for unreasonable amount towards a tree.

[fingerlicking]

I have a long garden that attaches to a garden at the bottom from a house 5 doors awa, but split by a thick hedge. The majority of my garden runs along side my direct neighbours house, but our garden and the garden of the house 5 doors away are long and 'kind of' circle the 4 houses' gardens inbetween.

My dh and I were clearing old trees and bushes from our garden as it was really shabby. We topped a number of large evergreens and removed 4 pine large trees and cut back shrubs etc.

There was a 6 foot tree in the middle of the thick hedge at the bottom of the garden that was bent over and collapsing. My dh cut out the tree.

The neighbours 5 doors away were hysterical. They moved to the house about 6 months ago. The woman came over crying because we had removed all the trees and topped others. It has opened up her view to houses, where as before her view was of green trees.

All the evergreen trees were in our garden and we were well in our right to remove them. However, the 6 foot tree in the middle of the hedge she claims was her tree and it was an 'arch' not bent from collapsing.

We apologised (even though we didn't think it was 'her' tree) and said that we really thought it was collapsing and would replace the tree. We offered her £150 towards a new tree.

Her husband came round shouting the odds and my dh felt physically threatened, even thought the guy was going to punch him. They said that they wanted a new tree that was over 3 metres tall, which cost £320. As we don't want to fall out we agreed to the higher amount. Even though it was not a like for like replacement.

Now they are asking us to pay for it to be dug in and they want it in a different position (not in the middle of the hedge at the bottom of our respective gardens), but higher up. This will cost us well over £500 in total.

We know that they want the new tree bigger and in a different position so to block the view of the houses that they can now see because we removed and topped pine trees that we were well in our right to remove in our garden.

We have agreed to the additional cost but I feel really aggrieved. We agreed so to keep the peace. But even after bending over backward to their demands, they are still being really grumpy and rude to us.

I am so upset by this situation. I don't know what to do.

The 'tree' was a Hawthorn, but they want a mature Laurel type tree to replace it. Where they want it placed in their garden is where they have a broken up path, which is why they need so much money to have it dug in.

They are trying it on. Don't give them any money. Buy a hawthorn tree of similar size and put it back in the exact same position.

At the very least if you feel you must do something, if the boundary isn't clearly yours say, then you should source and arrange the planting of a similar tree. You have control over what's done and receipts to prove it.

I'd also want it in writing that you have made good the damage you could be construed to have caused to the hawthorn and that the matter is resolved. You don't want a lingering dispute they can raise if you have to sell.

Out of interest, is there anything in the law about removing/replacing trees that are on your property but affect other people's views/privacy?

I would be very wary indeed about continuing to stand by your offer. I've lived in a small community so I know what the pressures are but it sounds to me as if this man is the type who would push and push over everything now that he thinks you have 'given in' over this - because he's a bully and that's what they do.

I suggest that you stop the process right now - and spend the money on some CCTV. Once the tree is 'settled' he'll get worked up about something else and you don't want this going on for years.

You can't buy Hawthorn trees. Hawthorn's aren't normally trees, they are normally hedges but this tree was really overgrown (hence it collapsing).

We can't get a Hawthorn. She specifically wants a Laural type tree.

I'm so upset about it. I feel that I am being taken advantage of. More over, I feel that I have really gone out of the way to put things right but we are being blanked and talked about.

My friend said to invite them over for drinks one weekend to try to smooth things over. But I just can't. Mainly because the husband was so aggressive and nasty. I don't want him in my home.

Nasty and abusive? Of course you can withdraw your offer and tell them that their unreasonableness is the reason why

You can buy hawthorn trees - I did so last year. Just find a tree nursery. They are cheapish trees too.

I second that you just replace like for like and give them the tree (with the offer of digging it into the hedge)(or an offer of money towards another tree of their choice if they would prefer), a box of chocs and wine as an apology and leave it at that.

You don't want to be a push over.

You can buy hawthorn - From Here.

I'd spend £40 on one & plant it where the old one was. That should cover any "distress" & leave you enough from your offered amount for a CCTV.

I absolutely would not pander to their wishes & have the mick taken.

Hang on, the nasty bloke gave permission? Then you are definitely being a push over. Like for like is over generous. But is all you should offer. If it was their tree.

Having re-read the thread I cannot believe that:

1. You are paying £500 for a tree - that is ridiculous. I bought three fairly mature trees for less than that - way less than that including delivery.
2. You are offering that much money for cutting your own hedge or removing your own trees. Yes, replace their hawthorne if it was their hedge and you made a mistake - but honestly the trees in your garden have no bearing at all. The hawthorne could cost you £20 - £50 and your dh or you can dig it in. Job done.

Our neighbour removed a massive hedge and his windows now overlook our garden - hence my tree buying last year!! I didn't expect him to do it!!! That would be bizarre.

He gave permission - he said "do what you like" and you did!

You are obviously a much nicer person than me, but I'm afraid I'd be telling them to fuck off to the far side of fuck. I cannot abide bullying, thuggish behaviour and your neighbour sounds like a wankstain.

Seriously Op, back out of this ridiculous "agreement" - you are being far, far too nice.

Even if you give them £500 I think they'll still moan and complain. It won't solve anything and they will see you as a pushover and become even worse. Don't give them any money!

(or effectively by spending money you don't want to)

If the tree was on your property it's your tree. So you could cut it down if you want to. I can't see why people make such a fuss about trees and fences. It's a tree fgs!!

You don't sound sure whose tree it was. If it was theirs, replace it with like for like - even if this is expensive.

If it was yours, withdraw the offer, you are well within your rights to remove/cut the trees in your garden.

If they don't like the view they need to get fences/trees to change it in their own garden.

They sound like you have given an inch and they are taking a mile, typical bullies. I would draw a line in the sand and stand up to them and certainly wouldn't invite them round!

Just withdraw the offer. Putting a different tree in a different place is just ridiculous.

Check deeds.
If it is your boundary withdraw your offer (politely) and buy a CCTV camera for your drive!

If it isn't your boundary buy a hawthorn tree, plant it I'm the exact same place yourself. Send a bottle of wine/chocs/flowers or something with a very friendly more saying 'so sorry we chopped down the hawthorn, we have replaced it with a new one in the exact same spot and hopefully this one will last many more years for you to enjoy. Once again appologise for the mistake with the hawthorn. Best wishes. '

And also get a CCTV camera for drive with option 2! :-)

Yes do as Grinch says...buy a Hawthorn pronto and tell your neighbours as you have replaced the tree on the boundary you wont be contributing toward a tree on her land

People have given you excellent advice and you just keep moaning about how upset you are.

What are you going to do?

OP, you cannot use paypal on the OFFICIAL land registry site!!!!

Use this link:

www.landregistry.gov.uk

It's only £3 for the documents you require.

There are a few unofficial sites out there that charge more!!!!

You can buy a 6-7 foot Hawthorn for under £40. Put it in the same place. Only as the ownership/boundary wasn't checked in advance.

I know you think this won't solve anything as she's really upset about the other trees - but it puts you in the right and they really can't do anything else. Any aggression/harassment because you cut down trees in your own garden needs to be reported to the police.

Replace like for like and in the same position, you are under no obligation to do anymore. If they have a problem with it, point them in the direction of the nearest garden centre, if they want trees on their land they can pay for it themselves!