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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

They cut my gorgeous cherry tree down

232 replies

babyno5 · 22/05/2018 18:01

I know it’s not important in the grand scheme of things.
I had a garden maintenance business is to give me a quote to cut down couple of conifers, pull up some bushes and bring my hedge down to a manageable height.
I’ve come home from work to find they’ve also cut down my gorgeous 30 foot cherry tree. I’m so upset! We have zero privacy upstairs now and I hate how it looks.
I was really clear on what I wanted them to do. I text him and all I got was “sorry I misunderstood you”
Suggestions please to make a horrible hedge look better!
Aibu to be close to tears? (Be gentle with me-shit day at work dealing with idiots!!)

OP posts:
chavtasticfirebanger · 22/05/2018 18:20

I did-massive fir tree. Came home and it was gone to a stump. Cried for ages, it was so private and shaded. Neighbour did it cos it was dropping onto his garden and he had dogs. Was too late so eventually planted a hedge which is growing as high as will allow. My whole garden looks different i still get upset now

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 22/05/2018 18:20

yes, before suing them, demand that they replace the tree - as much as possible of course. I wouldn't threaten with small claim just yet, but give them a chance to do something about it. You might just get a quicker solution that way

Of course you are not BU

Knittedfairies · 22/05/2018 18:21

Fools. I wonder if someone fancied cherry wood for a log burner; when seasoned, it is apparently sought after..

spookytime · 22/05/2018 18:22

Sue. Seriously sue.

DaffoDeffo · 22/05/2018 18:23

omg poor you! how dreadful

I would follow the advice on the thread and ask for a replacement

Shoutylady · 22/05/2018 18:23

Omg that’s awful. Send a text tonight saying you’re not happy with what they have done and they’ve removed a major part of your garden without permission. Say you expect someone round tomorrow to make a plan on how to rectify the problem.

Racecardriver · 22/05/2018 18:24

Agree with PP. Demand a mature replacement tree. If the say no then sue the bastards.

Bunchofdaffodils · 22/05/2018 18:28

I am touched how upset people are getting about (someone else’s) tree. I remember when my dad chopped down a fir in out front garden that had been there all my childhood. I felt like someone had died! So sorry op xx

Zaphodsotherhead · 22/05/2018 18:29

A guy who came to paint my windows pulled up my beautiful mature philodelphus bush so that he could get his ladder to stand up. Chucked it out into the back garden.

I was livid, but he was employed by my landlord, not me, so there wasn't much I could do. Planted another philodelphus but my landlord threw a load of hedge clippings onto it and killed it. Can only conclude my landlord is a secret philodelphus hater.

Soundsgood · 22/05/2018 18:30

Where have they taken it?

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 22/05/2018 18:31

I would be distraught OP, look at it this way if a builder had been to your house and knocked part of it down without your permission I’m sure you would sue, he has destroyed part of your garden and in a way that’s worse as it takes years and years to grow, demand a mature replacement and take him to small claims court if he does not comply, he probably has or should have some form of insurance for this, he needs to pay up. Sorry you are so upset I would be too.

aaarrrggghhhh · 22/05/2018 18:31

Mature replacement and small claims if not (not as scary as it sounds)

aaarrrggghhhh · 22/05/2018 18:32

small claims court

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 22/05/2018 18:33

I wonder if someone fancied cherry wood for a log burner; when seasoned, it is apparently sought after.

This was my thought too. As well as a new tree, I'd be asking for the logs back too...

Onesmallstepforaman · 22/05/2018 18:33

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LighthouseSouth · 22/05/2018 18:34

You have it in writing

Make sure you send copies to an email,or something

Then seek legal advice in the morning

I'm really sorry this happened, it's 100% their fault.

overnightangel · 22/05/2018 18:34

First off, I hope you haven’t paid them

overnightangel · 22/05/2018 18:34

And also what @ItsAllGoingToBeFine re getting the wood back

ferriswheel · 22/05/2018 18:36

That would make me cry. Im so disappointed on your behalf. Id be so sad, and furious.

KERALA1 · 22/05/2018 18:37

What is it about people destroying trees and plants - do some people get a thrill out of it or something? FIL always "helps" in the garden when we at work, doesnt do weeding or anything helpful just slashes away at our trees and hedges. I hate it. Then we have to be grateful Hmm

Our friends has builders in and told them explicitly NOT to destroy/take out the period fireplace. Came home to a big hole...

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 22/05/2018 18:37

I am the least litigious person in the world, but I would sue for that.

A mature cherry tree! 30 years!

maxthemartian · 22/05/2018 18:40

Close to tears? I'd be in floods!

HotSauceCommittee · 22/05/2018 18:40

I know it’s not the point, but where do you live, OP?
I have a cherry tree that’s getting on for 15 foot; I planted it to soften the appearance of the back wall but that back wall is someone’s house and I feel certain that I put in too near so I should get rid. If you are in the Bristol/North Somerset area, you could have it.

passmetheloppers · 22/05/2018 18:41

Sue the bloody pants off them. That is appalling.

Also - cherry wood has a value and is highly sought after by wood turners and the like. Don't let the bastards get away with it.

FreshStartToday · 22/05/2018 18:41

Oh poor you. You asked for suggestions for masking your boring hedge. Mile-a-minute is fantastic at providing fast growing interest, whilst something else grows up in its place. There are also some reasonably fast climbing roses which might look nice - though not, of course, as nice as a lovely mature cherry tree. So Sad for you.