What would be a diplomatic way to handle this?

[tiggerkid]

My neighbour has a conifer hedge that grows quite fast and needs regular trimming. Every time he trims the hedge, he sends me a text to "notify" me that conifer branches would be falling over our side of the fence.

For 5 years, I've not been saying anything but, to be honest, I think I am now getting annoyed with this. Several reasons:

1. I have to pick up all those fallen branches (and it's quite a lot of them because the hedge grows quite fast and it's not a small hedge either)

2. I need to put all those branches into our garden waste bins, which are already barely sufficient for our own garden waste. If I order more bins, I have to pay the council additional fee (£15 per month per bin)

This probably sounds tight and unreasonable but I really don't fancy picking up someone else's garden waste, disposing of it and paying more in the process.

The issue is that it's my neighbour. How can I diplomatically approach this topic without spoiling the relationship?

Why don’t you say I really appreciate the texts however next time could we arrange for you to come round to collect the branches

What does he do with the branches on his side? It could be that he does a tip run & totally wouldn’t mind bringing the branches from your side too.

Text him back to say "Absolutely fine. When are you coming round to pick up the clippings? Let me know and I'll put the kettle on".

I would pick up all the branches and chuck them over to his side.

What does he do with the branches on his side?

Not sure. I've never asked what he does with the branches on his side.

‘Thanks for letting us know. Last time we couldn’t fit your branches in our bin. Could you collect them from now on?’

He’d be unlikely to say No, I’d have thought?

At least he isn't a cf.
Our neighbour hacked our climbing tree until it died. All the bits fell into our garden. I asked him if it was OK I pulled it all down as it was clearly dead now - yes he declared. Its your bush and your wall anyway!!
Nearly started a 'Wallgate' thread but doubt it would be very interesting!!

Thanks so much for letting me know. If you could collect and dispose of the branches that fall on our side, I'd be really grateful.

I think that legally he owns the branches which fall on your side, since they come from his bush. So you would be doing your duty if you just dumped them back over on his side

Tell him he has your permission to enter your garden to collect his property.

Legally, the branches that fall onto your side are the responsibility of your neighbour. I'd respond to the message with a breezy 'thanks for letting us know,please can you collect and dispose of the branches that fall on our side when you dispose of the rest' X

I'd be quite tempted to chuck them back over the fence, but I know that is not good for neighbourly relations so would go with one of the excellent suggestions made by other poster.

You do NOT need to do 2. In fact, the law states they remain the property of the neighbours and you should give them back unless you have made an agreement otherwise. So just chuck them back over!

Alternatively you could ask him to come over and tidy them up. Again, that is within your right.

Our neighbour had a tree that used to hang over into our garden. We agreed that we’d keep it tidy on our side of the fence and he was responsible for getting rid of the waste - branches and leaves that fell in the autumn. So we’d bag it all up and leave it next to his front door.

'Thanks for letting me know, please could you dispose of them as I don't have space in my wheelie bin. Thanks'

Thank you, all, for your advice and opinions. Sounds like I'll need to ask him to come and pick up the branches or, indeed, start throwing them over the fence!

Thanks for letting us know. Will you be popping round to pick up the clippings or would you prefer me to throw them back over the fence?

Chances are he knows it's his responsibility but as you've not said anything, he's not followed it up. We have a lot of conifer type trees in a hedge and it hangs over next door: when we get them cut back the company that does it for us goes into the next door garden - with permission, obviously - and cuts from that side too and removes all waste. I think @TheStoic has the perfect response.

We have a lot of conifer type trees in a hedge and it hangs over next door: when we get them cut back the company that does it for us goes into the next door garden - with permission

This is so very considerate. My neighbour's hedge heavily overhangs on our side and he's never offered or tried to cut them on our side at all!

He sounds like he is trying to be nice and reasonable. Whatever you do OP I hope you keep that in mind.

Also, what kind of conifer bush grows quickly? I could use a privacy hedge since the neighbors can still see over my fence.

Our neighbours do the same as Jocasta2018. They asked permission for their tree surgeons to access their hedge from our garden. We were very happy to allow this!

Same as Jocasta2018 though with a slight twist. I organised (and paid half towards) the tree surgeon to cut down my neighbour's trees, as she didn't know where to start and had only just found out they belonged to her and was stressing at the grief they were causing us. We all gained from it.

Do it nicely, OP; there are too many 'leylandii wars' stories out there already! If he has been considerate by letting you know so far (and I think he has), then he will probably be considerate about the disposal.

My DH always cuts the hedge on both sides of our property. He checks NDN are happy for him to do it and collects up all the clippings from all sides and takes to the dump.

This is what your NDN should be doing. Surely just common decency?