To think we should be allowed to pull up our NDN’s stupid tree!!

[QueenofmyPrinces]

I live in a crescent and there are about 5 of us who have gardens that all kind of back on to one another.

In one of these gardens is a huge tree that is a total PITA! It’s at the end of their garden and some of it hangs over in to ours.

All winter our entire decking area and the lawn of our garden are COVERED in dead leaves that fall from the stupid tree that we have to go and rake up every day, and then every summer our entire garden is covered in bloody annoying soggy blossom petals and stuff which makes it looks awful and so messy.

We’ve had to buy one of those leaf blower/hoover type things because it’s the only way we can keep on top of it and we can’t actually play out in our garden with the toddler/baby until we’ve hoovered up all the crap that falls from their tree.

Last summer we looked in to our rights and as a result we hacked off all the branches that overhang our garden but it doesn’t solve anything because the other 90% of the tree still exists and its leaves and soggy blossom bits are still blown all over our decking/lawn every bloody day.

I can’t even explain how pissed off I am by it and every year the problem just gets worse as the tree gets bigger and bigger.

A few of the other surrounding neighbours have voiced their anger too because their gardens suffer that same way ours does and two of the neighbours gardens are practically in the shade all day because the big tree blocks the sunlight out.

AIBU to think that surely there’s something more we can do? Can a house owner be forced to have a massive tree removed if it impacts on everyone else?

I'd be a bit pissed tbh. Shouldn't be coming over into your side.

If you cut a tree at this time of year you broke the law. The landlord or neighbours cannot give you permission, it can only be done under license and even then would be under very strict conditions. You would not be granted one for this. It is nesting bird season and an offence to disturb them. You should live in a flat.

If you cut a tree at this time of year you broke the law.

So nobody is allowed to cut back trees in their garden during the spring and summer months? I had no idea there was a law against this.

I’m guessing the landlord doesn’t know either seeing as he was happy for us to cut it back last year.

So nobody is allowed to cut back trees in their gardens during the spring and summer months? I had no idea there was a law against this

One of the things that comes across in this thread is your complete disregard for the natural world: if it's inconvenient to you, then it should go - right? Your attitude is terrible.

I have a Sycamore that a tree surgeon friend told me is likely over 100 years old in my garden, we have an awesome long fall swing for the kids hanging from it, they swoop like 15 metres side to side on it, it has loads of birds nesting in it and it stunning this time of year.

Every Autumn i swear to god I'm going to chop it because it takes DAYS to clear the garden of leaves i could fill my brown bin 30 times over with them.

The neighbours all have huge trees of one type or another so leaves are a problem of aesthetics. They are not a health problem it just means a bit of work

If the landlord doesn't care why don't you and your neighbors that also hate it get a tree surgeon to quote to take down. Offer the landlord that you'll pay for it to be cut and removed, split the cost with neighbors.

If you cut a tree at this time of year you broke the law.

Absolute crap. There is NO LAW to stop you cutting a tree at this time of year.

The only law is if you INTENTIONALLY destroy a bird's nest whilst it's in use or being built.

If you can see there are no nests, then you're absolutely fine to get the chain saw out.

How about finding out about it before you go cutting things down? Or do you not think laws apply to you?

Or even just think that spring is nesting time and birds nest in trees - it’s not difficult. Awful entitled attitude though

It’s a cherry tree and the blossom period is sadly very short. Yab hilariously u. A cherry tree that is as wide and as tall as a three storey house is also... unlikely.

There are far worse things than cherry blossom.
Our neighbours have an old pear tree in their garden. It's right up against the boundary fence.
I wouldn't think anything of it if they bothered to maintain it and pick the pears but they don't. It's overgrown and looks bad and drops manky pears over the back half of our garden. They go slimy and horrible very quickly.
One year I sneakily investigated picking the pears myself, but the tree is so uncared for they all drop off before they're ripe.

Well, actually sometimes you can’t see birds that are nesting or preparing to nest, due to:

Nests nestled in ivy
Strategically placed to hide from predators
Too high up to see, especially as we have a mutant cherry tree
Nesting within rotten branches or books that cat be seen from the ground
Birds just starting to build their nest, with our long winter some birds only just arrived

Which is why the terribly inconvenient ban on cutting trees and hedges is in place.

Since this tree is so huge, it is likely that it was on the land before any of the houses were built, and before the land was parceled up.

Nature finds its revenge upon those that destroy it, do remember that down the line.

*nooks that cannot be seen from the ground

Op some people have made some very good suggestions. Quote TrinaN 'A really good pruning by a tree surgeon (only cost a couple of hundred) has it back under control, the offending branches are gone and the neighbours have their light back.'

Why don't you wait until nesting season has passed and get together with your neighbors including the tenants who you say also have a problem with the tree and organize a working bee where you all pitch in to trim the tree? Or all put money in to hire someone to trim the tree. That would be a solution to the neighbors not getting enough light and would significantly reduce leaves and blossoms falling in your yard and the landlord gets to keep the tree. Yabu to be so annoyed when you could work together for a solution that works for everyone including the landlord who owns the property. Are you so adamant that the tree should be cut down that you're unwilling to compromise and settle on a solution? If the tree wasn't an issue when it was smaller than I see no reason why trimming the tree wouldn't be a workable solution.

cigars you have a solid right in English property law to to enjoy the “fruits” of any overhanging branches or hedges. Legally, these pears (or walnuts or apples or anything) can be enjoyed by you (before and after they fall off) I think it falls under “usufruct”.

Trees aren't always great for nature though . We moved into our house not knowing our sellers has been at war with ndn. There were two huge hideous conifers in our back garden totally blocking any sun for next door and leaving a huge patch of barren grass on the lawn it looked Awful. First thing we did when we moved in was chop the trees down and then we were able to plant flowers in the beds where trees had been and ndn rejoiced in having sunshine in their garden. Meant both our gardens could then attract things like bees and butterflies now they weren't permanently in the shade and dried out from the conifers
However the neighbours at war thing was all to do with these bloody trees so You'll have a job getting them to do anything about it

so nobody is allowed to cut back trees in their garden during the spring and summer months? I had no idea there was a law against this.

It doesn't take much nous to think that there might be birds nesting in the tree who would be displaced/killed if you cut it? No tree surgeon would trim trees in spring.

You're really not keen on nature, are you?

How can you “pull up” a mature tree? That aside, large trees are very beautiful so you are actually lucky to have one so close. I really dislike the way you use the word “crap” to refer to its fallen leaves, blossoms etc. You need to start appreciating nature, frankly.

I'm a garden designer. Cherry trees are very good garden trees that generally don't get too big. They have a limited life span of around 60 years. Best for nature is the native prunus padus. The fruits on all varieties are a good food source for birds. On the whole they are not THE most bio diverse broadleaf ....like our lovely oaks, beech etc.

Trees that are very unsuitable for most family gardens are willow, poplar, cedar of Lebanon, lime (bit big & suckery) and tree of heaven. Sumac also problematic.

A cherry is a nice thing. I specify them in many gardens. They cannot be sympathetically crowned .....it's not the nature of the beast. You'd disfigure it. They're not great nesting trees as the branches are rather leggy. Nice for tree creepers, bugs, bees that kind of thing.

No tree surgeon would trim trees in spring.

That's the second most ridiculous thing on this thread. Of course they do, it's their business - do you really think they're just going to sit at home watching daytime tv for a few months each year? Last week, a couple of tree surgeons chopped down some huge leylandii near my workplace. Yesterday, a tree surgeon lopped a few of a neighbour's trees. The law prohibits "interntional" nest destroying - it doesn't stop professionals trimming trees if they're happy there are no nests in them (which is quite easy to check with a lot of tree types that aren't too dense).

Is it a magnolia tree? There is one on our walk to school, the petals fall for months.

@Queenie8 .....can't see the flowers from pic. Trees habit is very magnolia soulangeana (big cupped flowers and petals) and tiny flowers (blossoms) and prunus / cherry.

Btw tree surgeons do work year round 😂 But are careful to avoid disturbing nesting birds. There's no law against trimming non TPO trees.

@Tinkobell

Learn a little more about your beautiful and brief flowering tree ! The Japanese call cherry blossom season “Sakura” and it symbolises the transient nature of life. I especially love the vivid orange of it’s leaves in autumn.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/mar/26/cherry-blossom-where-to-see-what-to-plant-jane-perrone