Pruning overhanging tree

[089ville]

I've finally been getting around to my garden and cutting everything back.

Queue an irate neighbour knocking on my door saying I shouldn't touch her tree without asking once she got home. Ignoring that I did ask the other year out of courtesy is it OK to cut the overhanging ones and did he want the branches back. That was a once only question for me, I'm not going to ask every time to do what I'm legally allowed to do.

It's huge and just cutting back what overhangs my garden. Online it says it's fine to cut back some branches in the summer.

She's saying she will do it in a couple of months and has been busy for the last few years. Is she being a checky cow by moaning at me for doing it? If she had of taken care of it I wouldn't have needed to, I've got time now and I'm doing it now quite frankly

God. Neighbours. Pains in the arse. Can’t wait to move somewhere where I don’t have them.

AFAIK you are completely within your rights to prune any tree branches or bushes that overhang into your property. And I'm sure you can then give back the bits you cut off.

This might be useful. It says you don't need to consult your neighbour when you want to prune overhanging trees.

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=1022

As you are aware, it's perfectly legal for you to cut back any overhanging branches from neighbours' trees but I would check that it's an appropriate time of year to be prune it.

Many trees shouldn't be cut in the summer though when the sap is rising.

Some trees such as Acers and Prunus (e.g. flowering cherry) can be pruned in summer but pruned branches should be sealed to prevent things like silver leaf disease.

You are supposed to give branches back to the owner but I'm sure many people would prefer you to dispose of them yourself. As you already checked I'd go by what the ndn said at that time.

I wouldn't have asked them in the first place if I could prune it as you have the right to do so and, in asking them, you are giving them the opportunity to say no.

You are not supposed to give back the branches and certainly not allowed to throw them over the fence. You should offer them back and if they don't want them you have to dispose of them. You are right, you are perfectly entitled to cut back the branches. But m ensure you don't disturb any nesting birds.

As long as there isn't a protection order on the tree and you're not killing the tree by cutting the branches then you are allowed to cut them to your property line. Offer the branches back to them and tell them if they don't want them then you'll dispose of them. I would offer them back every time though just in case they want to be awkward and change their mind.

Oh yes I've checked it out and it's fine to prune some branches at this time of the year, the RHS even recommend it.

She's just pissed me right off. If she cares so much about her tree that grows on the boundary she should take care of it herself.

By being a nice person you do seem to attract people that see you as a weak target.

How do you move and get no neighbors?!

I'm trying to sell my house, lots of the feedback has been about the tree so she can fuck right off if she wants me to wait until the winter.

She had another rant at me this morning saying I wasn't being very neighbourly by not asking her first!

Wouldn't it be more neighbourly to keep her tree under control and not keep knocking on my front door complaining that I've cut what overhangs my land?!

Do a Basil Fawlty and bash her car with the branches. ...
Very therapeutic!

Forget the car I'll be keeping one by the door to poke her out of my porch next time!

Cut it back to the absolute maximum on your side.
She is a shit neighbour not to maintain her tree which is hanging over your garden.

Do not entertain her.