To refuse to pay to cut neighbour's tree?

[Latetotheparty26]

Neighbour has a tree on their land which shades our garden in summer. I mentioned 3 years ago that it would be great if they could trim the height. At the time, they refused as they had just opened own business and couldn't afford it. I accepted that and felt bad asking.
I asked again last summer, was given lots of excuses about nesting birds (I didn't expect it cut until it was the right time to do so), that it was a noise barrier (very new house with great double glazing) and also a security measure (tree is between fence and main road which is 10-15 foot high off road).
Met with them this week for them to tell me (in a very round about way) that, yes they finally had sorted someone to come and trim all their hedges (out of which this tree grows) and that the guy would quote on the tree - I was very pleased but, they then went on to say that they guy would let me know his quote to sort the tree and that with their permission he was to quote it be trimmed to a (very specific) height and that he was to not trample/flatten the bushes surrounding it.
I was left speechless! They want me to pay, to cut their tree with very specific requirements!
I know legally we have no leg to stand on, the tree does not obstruct daylight from our house, but...SURELY I can expect my neighbour to be...reasonable and neighbourly and maintain a pretty big tree!? It's only going to get bigger!

If the neighbour isn’t bothered by the tree then why should they pay for it to be cut though?

maybe it is not a problem for them. depends how much you want it trimmed to how much you would be willing to put some money towards it.

We have lots of (big) trees. The trees were here before the neighbours' houses. If someone wants one cut down then I expect them to pay for it, unless they can prove it is actually dangerous. I don't want to pay to cut my trees down for their benefit; but I quite accept they might like more light/less leaves in their garden. That's up to them to decide if they want to pay for it...

cf imv.
Its not worth the risk of getting work done if they are then going to accuse you of not following their specifications.

Well, in circumstances like this maybe going halves would be the ideal option.

When our neighbours asked if we could drastically cut the top off one of our trees, they offered to pay completely. As we otherwise wouldn't have done any work to it, I think this is quite fair.

Maybe they like having a large tree in their garden! You're the one that wants it cut, you pay!

What species of tree? If it's a Leylandii you may not be unreasonable, if it's a beech YABVU...

Why would your neighbour pay to cut a tree that doesn't cause them any problems? It's you who wants the tree cut back to increase light, so up to you to pay.

It’s their tree if they don’t want it cutting why should they pay , you do want it cutting so you should pay , however I wouldn’t bother with all the conditions attached .

We spoke to our neighbours landlord as there were trees and shrubs that were causing issues with light on our side. We were also getting a couple cut down on our side. The landlord was fine, neighbour allowed access, and we paid for the lot. The neighbour wasn't bothered by the trees/shrubs and of course the landlord wouldn't have been either so it was us that needed the job doing. Hence we paid. I suppose it would be nice for your neighbour to even split the cost but ultimately he's not obliged.

Leave the poor tree alone, it's not done you any harm, quite the opposite.

They are not obliged to pay to cut their tree. You want it cut, you pay. You can cut back anything that extends over your boundary and you must offer them the cuttings back but they don’t have to accept them, which means you get to pay for the disposal of the cuttings as well.

That’s the law.

You are being completely unreasonable.

DH is a tree surveyor and we ourselves own many trees.

You are extremely lucky they are even considering your request.

I suggest paying up, complying with any demands and then dropping a bottle of wine round.

They’re being totally reasonable

You want it cut, you pay.

They’re not giving you free rein to do whatever you want because it’s their tree.

No idea why you’re surprised by this tbh.

We paid to have our neighbours trees cut back a couple of years ago. We get on very well with our neighbours, but the trees being the size they were didn't affect them. I asked them if we could get them cut, as it was us that it made a difference to. I thought that was fair, in truth. There was no reason for them to cut them.

Honestly, you're being unreasonable. I'm sure if you both want it cutting them go halves, but if it's just you, then you pay or lump it

You want it cut, you pay.

We offered to pay for our tree that was going over a neighbours fence because it was in danger of damaging her guttering, but she refused and said she "had a man to do it".

If it was my tree I wouldn't even let you cut anything that wasn't on your side. They're being very reasonable allowing you to cut their tree.

I think you’re being the CF! Why should they pay when they don’t want it trimmed? They’re being friendly and neighbourly even agreeing to have it done.

If the tree was there when you bought the house you can’t complain. If the tree was there before your house was even built then you have even fewer grounds to complain.

If I were you I would accept their offer to allow you to pay to have the tree pruned so that the crown is lifted and any large overhanging branches are removed, but it needs to be done symmetrically (on all sides) or it will be unbalanced and look awful. Accept that deal as the best you are going to get and be grateful for it. They don’t owe you anything.

You want the tree to be cut, you pay. They gain nothing from cutting the tree, they are just being neighbourly by allowing you to do it.

You're the one demanding they cut the tree. If you want it done you should pay. Sounds like they only agreed because you kept hounding them in the first place.

You want the tree cut, trees grow and technically don’t need to be maintained if they are not obstructing electrical overhead power supply’s..

If you want the tree cut pay, if not don’t.

You have no right to light HTH

I think they're being vcf.

If I had to pay for it I'd get my own person in and cut the fucker down.

Well don't pay and don't have it done.

They're obviously not bothered and it sounds like they don't want it cut so why on earth should they pay?