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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

neighbours that plant huge trees that steal a view deserve for it to get a parasite

80 replies

stolenview · 04/06/2015 12:17

My house has stood for over 85 years. Yet only in the last few years is the view being taken away by a new build in tjr 90s that's planted some trees. Getting very bushy and in a few years will totally of taken away the view.

Aibu to think this is rude and unthoughtful?

There's already 3m hedge so these trees provide no more privacy.

I poured some brushwood killer all over the base and its done nothing.

Could saw through in a couple of mins but obviously I could get sewed. However seems unfair that they can devalue my house and I cant sue them.

Yes I know legally its OK, its just annoying.

Would be a civil case if it was to die?

Can you get pet beavers in the uk? Would pay for up to 3k.

Or can I snap off the higher branches that overhand my side hoping that they break near the base?

OP posts:
knittingdad · 04/06/2015 15:34

Oh, if it is trees plural, then it might well be covered by the High Hedge Act

Toooldtobearsed · 04/06/2015 15:39

Is anyone else getting the Weedol root killer ad popping up? Grin

What view are you missing out on? I would far rather look at trees and shrubbery than other houses!

Think of all the baby birds with no nests to call home....would be very sad.

CitrineRaindropPhoenix · 04/06/2015 15:42

The only way the Council could take any action at all is if it counts as a high hedge or there is a requirement on the original planning permission not to plant trees on the boundary.

the Council can't take enforcement action willy nilly and if the house was built in the 1990s, planning permission will have been granted at least 20 years ago and can't be revisited now! The usual time limit for breaches of planning permission is 4 years.

Original poster
stolenview · 04/06/2015 15:56

Its a view of a beautiful fields. Actually I think if I get a grappling hook I could snap off the offending top branches myself. Wish I had of done this during the gales the other day!

OP posts:
nannyplumislostinspace · 04/06/2015 17:06

I'm a lawyer and I used to deal with these types of neighbour disputes.

If you were to accidentally damage the trees with weed killer, technically this would be criminal damage and technically the neighbours could sue you.

However, the police are unlikely to be interested and it would cost your neighbour tens if thousands to take the matter to court.

Up to you if you want to take the risk! Otherwise pray for a hurricane and a plague of beavers!

Original poster
stolenview · 04/06/2015 17:27

Basically legal buff, your saying do it ?! As even if they had solid evidence there is very unlikely to be any repercussions.

Might only kill one tree a year and see how I go

OP posts:
nannyplumislostinspace · 04/06/2015 18:02

I certainly wouldn't be blatant about it! It might cause you a lot of hassle with your neighbours , but unlikely that they would have "solid evidence to prove it was you!

shushpenfold · 04/06/2015 18:05

I know of one which was in a really annoying position and blew over on a windy night......I don't suppose the tractor and rope helped much either.

tootiredtothink · 04/06/2015 18:15

I know my neighbour killed one of our trees....it was only a young one (10 years ish), but I have no way of proving it and no money to sue even if I could. I also can't be arsed to get angry Grin.

Not everyone is as lazy as me though. Have read of so many neighbour disputes costing thousands.

I'd quite like someone to kill the big bugger in the front of our garden....

Original poster
stolenview · 04/06/2015 18:19

Surely if I didn't bother to get legal advice then it could cost me thousands if they tryed legal action?

OP posts:
Flyinggeese21 · 04/06/2015 19:19

A wind up? Pet beavers? Come on!

Original poster
stolenview · 04/06/2015 19:23

Well I was joking with them. But I'm real about getting rid of the trees. A dream view being eaten away.

OP posts:
prepperpig · 04/06/2015 19:27

No I would definitely go with the beaver plan. I think you'll need one for each tree and each main beaver will need a beaver wife.

What you are allowed to do legally is cut off any branch that overhangs your property. You must throw the branch back though because it belongs to your neighbour.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 04/06/2015 19:30

Pet beavers?
No, you need wild ones then you are in no way responsible , wild animals being , well, wild.

A new build from the 90s might have a load of crap in the foundations, you have no way of knowing what toxins are lurking there weedkiller waiting to poison some hapless tree -copper nails--

LavenderRain · 04/06/2015 19:34

FIL had a connifer tree blocking out his light from ndn. It was huge. FIL drilled the base, added poison, copper nails, u name it he did it!!
FIL has sadly died but the tree is still going! (BIL lives there now)

Flyinggeese21 · 04/06/2015 19:36

Stolen have you spoken to your neighbours (who own the tree) about the problem? They might be willing to keep it at a sensible height if you ask.

Flyinggeese21 · 04/06/2015 19:37

If the don't play ball go ahead with the plan to buy 3000 beavers! (Joking).

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 04/06/2015 19:55

I think beaver footprints near the tree and you being the only person in the neighbourhood with pet beavers is going to look really suspicious, sorry.

404UsernameNotFound · 04/06/2015 19:57

You must throw the branch back though because it belongs to your neighbour.

This one always comes up. No, you mustn't.

What you should do is ask your neighbour if they want their cuttings returned, if they say no their disposal is up to you. If you throw them over the fence you are actually flytipping and they could then charge you for their disposal.

Please spend some time on Garden Law, this kind of thing comes up a lot.

vindscreenviper · 04/06/2015 20:44

What if the op got creative with the Nice n Easy and disguised her beavers as badgers Countess do you think she would get away with it?

Ocean's Eleven Beavers Grin

whois · 04/06/2015 20:50

If there are roots under your land if dig down and poisen the tree. Horrible I know but views are important. They wouldn't have been allowed to build a brick wall there but tress are ok!

lunar1 · 04/06/2015 21:03

What if they don't remove the trees. You could spend the rest of your life looking at 4 dead trees which you murdered.

Original poster
stolenview · 04/06/2015 21:07

If they are dead, will just be twigs. Once they dry out I'll snap them in half

OP posts:
youareallbonkers · 04/06/2015 21:24

85 years lol
So your house was built in the 30s like millions of others

Original poster
stolenview · 04/06/2015 21:33

My point was its had the view for many decades.

OP posts: