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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell my neighbours to FTFO

51 replies

Smarterthantheaveragebeaver · 22/03/2015 09:12

We have lived in our house around 15 years. There are some large, mature oak trees at the bottom of the garden, about 100 yards from houses. No issues with them blocking light, etc, theyre too far away. No view of rolling lanscapes obscured, either.

New neighbours moved in about 2 years ago. The husband has asked, on about four occasions, when (not if) we are going to have them taken down, saying that branches have fallen into their garden (they havent) and they are worried in case anything lands on their child (unlikely given size of garden).

WIBU to point out that these trees had been in situ for about 80 years before they moved in, they would have noticed them when they came to view the house, and that if they didnt like them they should have bought another house?

Normal people dont expect their neighbours to have a load of unnecessary work done, at great expense, for their benefit, do they?

AIU think it is completely wrong for him to insist that we spend thousands of pounds (that we dont have) solely for their benefit? We've no problem with them chopping off the bits that overhang their garden, but suspect they wont do a proper job.

None of our other neighbours mind these trees. In fact, they all say they quite like them as they obscure the view of a not very nice looking building behind.

OP posts:
AlternativeTentacles · 22/03/2015 09:15

Oaks support more other life forms than any other tree.

I'd love a garden big enough for oaks!

Usually, branches fall during storms, not during sunny days when kids are more likely to be out playing.

I'd tell him it would be a cold day in hell before I let someone chop it down, then I'd go get TPOs put on them. But I'm like that.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 22/03/2015 09:17

I would investigate the option of having TPOs on them too.

whoopsbunny · 22/03/2015 09:18

yanbu, 100yr old oak trees are precious.

Speak to the council about a tree preservation order? Or tell him to ftfo.

whoopsbunny · 22/03/2015 09:18

*Or both Smile

PlummyBrummy · 22/03/2015 09:19

I was just about to mention TPOs too - could be a good defence against axe-happy idiots.

MythicalKings · 22/03/2015 09:19

He's at liberty to chop off any overhanging branches but, other than that, there's nothing he can do.

What possible (real) reason can he have? I sense some kind of agenda - maybe he wants to build a patio or fishpond alongside them.

ShadowStone · 22/03/2015 09:20

FTFO???

Fair enough to want any overhanging branches cut off, but he's unreasonable to ask you to get rid of the trees altogether.

Nomama · 22/03/2015 09:20

Definitely get a TPO on them.Contact your local planning department and ask, immediately!

Sunny67 · 22/03/2015 09:28

i live in Yorkshire and if I wanted to chop down an 80 year old oak tree, I'd have to contact the council as there is a blanket preservation order. Personally I'd tell your neighbour to do one but then I don't have to live next door to him. You could ring the council for advice and they probably have tree surgeons that they use
We called one to come and look at a poplar in our garden. It's a huge thing and we wanted to make sure it was ok, braches kept falling off. He came out told us what he thought, no charge.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 22/03/2015 09:42

The trees were there long before the houses were built. This person who has asked you to have them taken down is being totally unreasonable.

These trees are likely to be subject to a TPO and in any case I would check with the council Planning Services Dept.

I knew of someone who some years back took an axe to a single large branch of an oak tree which was overhanging into their garden. They were hit with a £2000 fine by the council. I can imagine the fine is a lot larger nowadays.

Original poster
Smarterthantheaveragebeaver · 22/03/2015 09:46

Mythical - I highly doubt it. He ripped up all the lovely mature plants and lawn from his front garden and now has plastic shrubs in pots and astroturf! I kid you not! Goodness knows why he bought a house with a huge garden. They never spend any time in it.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/03/2015 09:48

If he is going to weild a chainsaw at the overhanging branches himself, take some photos of your trees in case he damages them .

Anything involving lopping of branches..........there's a right way and a wrong way.

YY to the TPO.

Have you asked him what the issue is?
Is he concerned that they might get damaged in a storm, and fall or split?

Pipbin · 22/03/2015 09:52

What an arse. Those trees were there before he bought the house and will be there long after he has gone.
I agree with PP. Get protected status asap.

Sallyingforth · 22/03/2015 09:56

Certainly take lots of photos. And do it while he can see you doing it!

Girlwhowearsglasses · 22/03/2015 10:23

What an idiot. IME there are people who have a paranoid fear of trees taking 'their light' to the exclusion of anything else. The same people who don't like nature and not being in control. They also don't like the leaves falling and making a mess.

Nanny0gg · 22/03/2015 10:31

If they're that old they may already have a preservation order, in which case any pruning at all is illegal without consent

We have small garden with a very large tree. We knew about it, we knew about the preservation order and I really love it (and the squirrels!) The only pain is the millions of leaves in the autumn.

Don't let them prune. They could ruin the trees.

popalot · 22/03/2015 10:35

They will be protected and noone can chop them down or even remove branches without the council's consent. Tell him that next time he pops round. End of.

TSSDNCOP · 22/03/2015 10:37

He won't get far if he calls the council IME. We have three sycamores less than 35 feet from our house that are now four storeys high. When we moved in 12 years ago they were only two storeys high.

Our adjoining neighbour declines to have them pollarded. They now partially obscure our view in winter, and when in leaf they completely obscure our view and block our light.

Our council have written and warned us if we so much as prune overhanging branches we will be subject to legal proceedings. My elderly neighbour was visited by the police for trimming a few low hangers with loppers.

So good luck with oak trees 100 feet away from his house.

Psipsina · 22/03/2015 10:37

They may already have orders on them. Ring the council tomorrow morning and ask them to come over and take a look. It may be that he isn't even allowed to lop off overhanging bits.

Good luck. He sounds like a twit.

DarthVadersTailor · 22/03/2015 12:12

The likelihood is that there already is a blanket order in place!! Check with the councils environmental services department and if not then get one put on!!

gamerchick · 22/03/2015 12:17

I don't think you would be allowed anyway. I'm sure I read somewhere that some trees can't be touched.

Might be worth getting genned up from the council so he doesn't get chopping happy or poisons it.

gamerchick · 22/03/2015 12:19

He's an idiot anyway. We need trees man.

nunkspugget · 22/03/2015 12:29

I'd festoon it with wind chimes.

Nanny0gg · 22/03/2015 17:03

I'd festoon it with wind chimes.

RandomNPC · 22/03/2015 17:05

What a cunt. Burn his house down.