to want someone to chop this tree down

[Moreshabbythanchic]

We have recently moved into a new (to us) property and there is a massive, very old conifer at the bottom of our small garden. It is only about 12 feet from the house and when the wind blows, like today, it sways about and I'm worried its going to fall down and crush our house with me in it.

The property it is in is being renovated and no one lives there so I dont have a clue who owns it, also as we cant actually see the property I have never seen anyone there.

Would IBU to find out who owns it and ask them to chop it down?

YANBU to ask for it to be pruned, but YWBU to expect them to say yes.

You have the right to prune any branches that overhang your property. Otherwise, hope that the wind blows the other way!

I dont think pruning would help, it is about the height of 2 houses and I'm worried the roots are weak and thats why its swaying so much.

Most conifers sway in the wind.

If you truly think the tree is unstable and a danger, you need to report it...probably to the council.

We have the same issue with a next door but one neighbour, there's a tree in his garden and it is so tall (4-5 storeys high that it blocks out sunlight and if that ever fell down it'd cause damage to several houses including ours. Unfortunately the person that lives there is elderly so I'm not going to ask him if it could be pruned, we'd pay for it but I don't want to bother him.

Thank you for the replies, I'll keep my fingers crossed the wind doesn't blow in my direction .

Why did you buy the house if you have a problem with the tree? YABU to expect it chopped down just to suit you. YANBU to expect your neighbour to ensure that it is properly maintained so that it is not a danger to neighbouring properties.

I haven't got a problem with trees, I love trees. I've got a problem with being crushed to death if it falls on me.

When I viewed the house I forgot to check all the neighbours gardens for the stability of the trees in their gardens, very remiss of me.

As Worra says, your best option is probably to report it to the council as being unstable - I assume they could assess it (and would know what to look for), and either reassure you that it's safe, or, if it isn't safe, they ought to be able to make the owners chop it down.

Thank you for those who suggested the council, I will ring them for advice.

I know that trees dont live for ever and the roots do get weak especially when battered by strong winds. Only last week we passed a very large tree which had been blown down exposing a huge root ball, its probably that that has got me so concerned.

Not sure where you are but we're in se London and have a similar issue with a truly massive eucalyptus tree in a neighbours garden. Our council won't even look at it as it's a private property regardless of the fact that it's a danger.

Oh Sleepless thats not good! Hope I have more success.

We live in the Fens where due to the flat open land the winds get really strong.

I don't think you'd have anything to lose by contacting the owners of the property and expressing your concerns about the safety of the tree, Moreshabby - the worst they can say is 'no', and they might agree with you and take the tree down.

It has just occurred to me to wonder if you could get a tree surgeon to have a quick look at it - over your fence, maybe. It ought not to cost too much, and might give you peace of mind.

Fingers crossed that you get this sorted satisfactorily.

Have a chat with your neighbour, have they had it checked, are they aware of how much light it takes etc. A compromise may be possible.. my elderly neighbour had an overgrown Christmas tree in her garden, taking loads of light from ours and a bit too close to the houses. She was worried about it but didn't feel up to tackling it. We organised a reputable tree surgeon who cut it down, she paid for it, we halved the cost by turning it into firewood and taking 10 trips to the dump with the leaves.

My mom bought a house & went around asking the neighbours if she could pay to remove trees & improve her view; nobody minded at all. Don't understand the fuss.

Our neighbour had a very large conifer on the boundary with our house. I don't actually remember it when we viewed the house to be honest, but it blocked a lot of light out of our garden. It was February when we looked at the house and pouring with rain, so quite easy to miss.

Anyways, I used to get very mad about the tree and willed it to die. And it did

i want a tree removed its in the next door neighbours garden its a sycamore and we are allergic apparently we didnt know this till we moved here they hate it too they have put a fence in-front of it (fencing it out of there garden) unfortunately they rent the house so they will not spend the money to remove it i hate it with a passion my kids are streaming noses all day long when they are out i cant dry my washing because of the pollen gets on the clothing and more streaming noses im praying this wind breaks it

wretched thing seeds my garden every year too with bloody spinny seeds!

i would rather a conifer

Someone told me once that their mum injected a tree she didn't like with washing up liquid or some kind of detergent and it eventually died. Does that really work?

The problem with that is that, when the tree dies, it could fall onto the OP's house and garden - something she wants to avoid.

Not to mention it'd be criminal damage.