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Original poster

Tree and neighbour

120 replies

glasshalf · 12/05/2019 18:08

Hi
So we moved into our house in the last year , we havnt had a summer here yet so although we knew there was a large tree in the neighbours garden we didn't quite realise the impact it had on our property -
Any how today we have been looking and it blocks the whole sun from our garden and living room in the afternoon . We went to say hello and spoke about it and she is absolutely not wanting it cut back, said she will get a tree preservation order on it HmmI love trees would never kill it but it is having a huge impact on light in our garden and back of our house . I literally don't know where to go with this next as we don't want to upset anyone or take legal routes- any tips?

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 12/05/2019 22:45

You cannot trim it when they are away. It is not yours. You can only trim the branches that over hang your garden.

Bluntness100 · 12/05/2019 22:46

There is a special place in hell for people like you

Well that's oddly harsh and uncalled for.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 12/05/2019 22:48

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

LarryGreysonsDoor · 12/05/2019 22:49

I have a large number of trees in my garden.
They were all here before I was.
I would certainly notice if someone cut any of them back.

SoupDragon · 12/05/2019 23:04

You should just trim it when they are away.

Why do people keep suggesting this as if it is in any way legal or appropriate?

donquixotedelamancha · 12/05/2019 23:14

Why the fuck did you buy a house knowing there was a tree there and now decided everything revolves around you?

There is a special place in hell for people like you.

Really? A special place in hell for people who buy a house and then ask their neighbours whether they can cut back their tree?

Huh...... you'd think hell would be busier.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 12/05/2019 23:21

Well yes, it seems it’s quite s busy place with all the whinging going on.

There is thread after thread of the same I Bought A House But Neighbours Won’t Cut Their Tree That’s Been There Long Before I Came And Decided it must go.

At least they will keep each other company.

Just don’t buy the bloody house.

UrsulaPandress · 12/05/2019 23:30

I think you've got a cheek to be honest.

Dottierichardson · 12/05/2019 23:40

You can only trim the branches that over hang your garden.

But only if it doesn't affect the health/structural integrity of the tree/it is outside nesting season/and not if there's a TPO in place...

BMW6 · 12/05/2019 23:40

I don't understand why you aren't getting any sun even at high noon, when the sun is directly overhead!

My NDN's house blocks the sun from our garden for most of the morning. Can I follow the advice of poster above and pull their house down when they are away on holiday? After all, it's blocking MY light!

Dottierichardson · 12/05/2019 23:42

There are a lot of things we don't like in neighbours' gardens doesn't mean we have the right to damage or remove them - amazed at how many people urging criminal damage/trespass etc on this thread. Also some of us would like a habitable planet for our children/grandchildren and trees play a huge role in fighting climate change.

Dottierichardson · 12/05/2019 23:44

BMW6 had a neighbour once who removed a tree from their garden because of light, was too out of it to realise lack of light was to do with the position of the garden nothing to do with the tree...made no difference whatsoever...

lololove · 12/05/2019 23:50

I feel your pain, my kitchen and middle room get next to no natural light because of next doors extension. Our middle room - even painted bright bright white to reflect the light around - still has to have a light on to be able to use it even during the day. However it was there when we moved in and nothing we can do about it (except for cursing the neighbours... for this and many other things (!))

BMW6 · 12/05/2019 23:52

LOL!
Also the sun's arc changes during the year, (and gets higher above the horizon?) so wait and see if you get more sun in the garden as Summer approaches.

Turpy · 13/05/2019 00:46

I'm surprised that your tree surgeon partner didn't notice the tree before you bought the house Confused

Also, surely he would be the best person to ask advice?

BTW what type of tree is it?

echt · 13/05/2019 01:16

Isn't there an app that calculates light at various times of the year?

www.milkwood.net/2015/06/01/design-basics-mapping-the-sun-on-your-site/

Another one amazed that the tree surgeon DH didn't see the problems.

PCohle · 13/05/2019 01:22

Your partner is a tree surgeon and he didn't foresee this issue?

It seems a bit cheeky to buy a house knowing full well there is a tree next door and then demand it is cut down to suit you.

You did all you could by asking politely, they said no. You need to move on now. Caveat emptor etc.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 13/05/2019 02:00

Yes there is in the anti social behaviour act of 2003.
I really do hate it when people state things categorically like this, when they actually have no idea what they’re talking about.

Hmm I categorically hate when posters try and one up others when they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. Frankly your speaking our your arse!

This is a tree and not a hedge, so your “act” simply and rightly won’t apply.

You claim your DP is a tree surgeon Confused so as a tree surgeon he should be well aware that you have no legal right to light.

I also don’t believe you get no sun in the garden all at, because you absolutely will.

Purpleartichoke · 13/05/2019 02:44

You could just as easily be on here complaining that they trimmed your tree and.m now you have no shade.

TedIsNOTBent · 13/05/2019 03:30

We are in the middle of a row of terraced houses, two houses along either side have very mature oaks. One has been kept tidy - the other side is wild. It blocks the sun from our immediate neighbour's garden completely and in the height of summer we only get about 3 hours in the middle of the day.
Last year about 5 of us chipped in £150 each to have it cut back. Fine. Apart from they did not cut any of the over hang in our garden because that would significantly change the shape of the tree.
Extremely pissed off we contributed to the cost and saw no benefit.
It's not just the lack of sun that irritates, it's the debris, acorns especially are like chucking a bag of marbles across the pavement outside.
But, we knew it was there when we bought the house and someone said to us it's not the house with a tree in the garden, the tree has a house in its space Hmm

HarryElephante · 13/05/2019 04:07

There is a special place in hell for people like you

Luckily you don't decide who goes to hell otherwise it would have serious overcrowding issues.

UrsulaPandress · 13/05/2019 05:50

I find the thought of a tidy oak tree really depressing.

Bluntness100 · 13/05/2019 06:27

I also don’t believe you get no sun in the garden all at, because you absolutely will

I believe this, I have some large trees in the garden and they do cast a lot of shade, sure she might get some, but if it's not a very big garden it's highly possible it shades her garden for a large part of the day.

Original poster
glasshalf · 13/05/2019 06:56

Jesus wept the vampires were out on here last night! Special place in hell- moron!
Don't believe it covers my whole garden - don't really care what you believe it's true or I wouldn't have asked! It shades my whole garden and living room , yes even at the height of the sun because it's bloody massive! For those saying "you knew before you bought it - read the thread!
If there's anything I learnt it's don't ask about tree cutting on Mn , everyone is insane about trimming them! Got all the help I need with this .
Off to hell nowGrin

OP posts:
caughtinanet · 13/05/2019 07:21

Why would you need to ask about tree trimming when your DH is a tree surgeon? That's what I find the most surprising thing about the whole situation.

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