Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 ··· 7 8 9 10 11 12

Original poster

Enormous tree in neighbour's garden

287 replies

treewoes · 27/10/2019 13:08

I live in a small terraced house. At the bottom of my next door neighbour's garden there's a huge tree. I'd say it's at least three times taller than the surrounding houses... probably about 100ft if I had to guess?

Every day the tree blocks the sunlight in my garden for about 3 hours solid in the early afternoon, before the sun swings back round again in the late afternoon/early evening.

I would really love to get the tree either significantly reduced in height or removed altogether, but obviously it's on my neighbour's land so it's not my call.

I don't know the neighbours at all well (we only moved in six months ago and have barely seen them) and am really nervous to ask them, in case they're annoyed or think I'm interfering.

I'd be willing to pay for some or all of the work if the neighbours weren't happy to do so. DH thinks we should go halves but since we're the ones who have an issue with it, I think it's only fair that we cover the full cost if need be.

Does anyone have any advice on how they would deal with this situation? Do you think it's worth exploring getting the tree cut since I do get sunlight in my garden for about 6 hours a day (but none at all from 12-3)?

And does anyone know how much it would cost to get such an enormous tree cut back or chopped down? Logistically it could be a challenge as the tree is located between two rows of terraces.

Thank you!

OP posts:

Chloe84 · 28/10/2019 07:20

Yeah not sure I would have reported a comment for saying 'planet killer'.

But the general tone of the thread has been aggressive to OP, quite unfairly I think.

Karwomannghia · 28/10/2019 07:21

I agree.

Chloe84 · 28/10/2019 07:22

@Karwomannghia yes i was talking to you! Glad it was all resolved amicably. I do think if it's at the bottom of your garden then you should be prepared to contribute to costs.

But if your neighbours are happy to keep paying then you're very lucky!

Karwomannghia · 28/10/2019 07:24

Chloe They haven’t paid anything yet or done anything. We just went for a conversation.
When It was cut back a couple of years ago, it was other neighbours who clubbed together and paid for it.

Karwomannghia · 28/10/2019 07:25

So not resolved! Just forgotten about for now!

frostedviolets · 28/10/2019 07:28

But the neighbour might not like it either. Or might not be bothered. I don't get how how it's rude or entitled to find that out.

It must be exhausting to be offended by people asking you questions

Okay, I'll re phrase.

You are deliberately asking someone to remove something on their property, that they own, just because you don't like it.

I think that is very rude, what right do you have to request that people get rid of things they own just because you personally don't like them?

The fact that 'they can say no' or that you will pay doesn't make it okay.

It is true that the neighbours may hate the tree themselves, if that is the case then everything will be fine.
The tree will be gone and everyone will be happy.

But I think that most people who actually like the tree would be offended and although you would hope that they would be polite about it, I think they probably would think badly of the OP and it may sour the future relationship.

I still think that ultimately if light is really important to you then you don't buy a house with a whacking great tree under the assumption that you'll just politely ask the neighbour to remove it and it'll be totally fine because you'll pay.

From the sounds of it you can't possibly have missed it when viewing the house if it's as big as you say.

No one has ever been so rude as to ask me to remove something in my garden.
If they did, I would (politely) decline but secretly think them very rude.
Everything in my garden is mine and it's all there because I happen to like it.
If it offends you don't buy the house.

0lapislazuli · 28/10/2019 07:29

Yes, but you bought the house only six months ago! It’s only a few hours of shade. It’d be very selfish to cut an old tree down for that. You can’t just ‘significantly reduce it in height’ either without killing it.

If I was your neighbour with the tree, I would be irked that you’re asking to cut down my perfectly healthy tree that you knew was there when you moved in.

Karwomannghia · 28/10/2019 07:31

But if something in your garden affects people around you negatively that’s very unsociable. Would you not care? Trees grow! They don’t start off huge and they grow to different heights. Light on someone’s property is important and is why plans are often rejected. It’s not just someone not liking something in your garden, it’s affecting their property.

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 28/10/2019 07:32

But some are not appropriate for urban and suburban settings, they are just too big. If the tree can be reduced, and if the neighbours are happy it’s hardly a crime against nature.

Why? Trees clean the air, reduce noise, and act as a natural air conditioning, don’t people in suburban settings deserted that?

Also, OP did move knowing about the tree and is whining now, isn’t that true?
There is thread after thread of this, I bought a house but the neighbours have a tree that bothers me even though I see it when we viewed the house.

People like the OP need to take responsibility and realise their actions, such as buying a house or chopping trees down have consequences.

If we keep chopping trees down we will all suffer, and yes, a big mature tree is more valuable than a few saplings. If the tree is healthy then OP’s complaining is completely out of place.

fernandoanddenise · 28/10/2019 07:34

We need all the trees we can get. Think you should move house OP.

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 28/10/2019 07:34

As you rightly say it grows, it does not appear overnight, so OP or anyone elae does not like it then they have a choice of other properties.

Chloe84 · 28/10/2019 07:35

@frostedviolets

Your language is very loaded.

'Deliberately asking'? How is this different as opposed to just asking? Everything we do is deliberate. I'm going to the bathroom now to deliberate,y have a shower.

'Just because you don't like it' - very simplistic. The OP may think the tree looks beautiful but still not be able to enjoy her garden because she gets no light. Just like @Karwomannghia may really like the tree in her neighbour's boundary, but not like the fact that it is leaning on her summerhouse!

People on this thread who have been approached by neighbours about their tree have told you they didn't think it was rude. Doesn't that tell you that it's possible to have an amicable conversation without anyone feeling the other was 'rude' or 'offensive'?

Catquest1 · 28/10/2019 07:38

I love trees. But like all things trees need love, care and attention and in some cases maintenance.

We had some issues with a tree on a neighbouring property - wasnt too much of an issue when we moved in but due to it being rather out of sight (and therefore out of mind) the ivy growing on it was left to grow rampantly for 10 years - ended up being roughly 8 ft wide in diameter around the trunk and completely covered the canopy. More ivy than tree tbh although the canopy was coming over our house despite the trunk being 14ft away from our property.

Our difficulty was the neighbour who owned the tree was the local parish council. There were other complications but in the end we agreed to a compromise after the ivy caused significant damage to their fence and a branch was identified as being held on solely by ivy and was at risk of falling into the garden of local preschool.

The tree remains with a thinned out canopy and the ivy has gone. Although we did have to pay for it - which is another story.

Shadowboy · 28/10/2019 07:39

So there’s a tree, likely well over 100 years old. You come along and after 6 months decide you don’t like it? The tree and neighbour that were there before you? If you knocked on my door and said I’ll go halves with you- I’d tell you to get lost. (Politely)

frostedviolets · 28/10/2019 07:41

But if something in your garden affects people around you negatively that’s very unsociable. Would you not care?

People are 'affected' differently.
While one person may loathe the shade a large tree creates and find it oppressive someone else might absolutely love the privacy the tree provides, get great joy from seeing birds nesting and relish a cool, shady garden to get away from summer heat.

If i i wanted to plant an absolute beast of a tree that I thought would block light I would ask the neighbours first, if they were really against it I wouldn't proceed.

If one of those neighbours them moved out, I would assume that any new potential neighbour would view the property and either think ooh, a lovely big tree, I'll take the house or ugh, what a horrible, dark tree, I won't take the house.

I wouldn't expect them to buy the house, hating the fully grown, existing tree then having to cheek to ask me to remove the tree.

It's my tree, you knew it was there, if you didn't like it you shouldn't have bought the house would be my view.

DappledThings · 28/10/2019 07:45

No one has ever been so rude as to ask me to remove something in my garden.
If they did, I would (politely) decline but secretly think them very rude.

Well that's your choice. Seems a tiring way to view things. I can't imagine just being asked if I mind something rude at all. Demanding would be rude. Insulting the tree would be rude. Bringing over a leaflet with the name of a tree surgeon on it having assumed you'd say yes would be rude. Just enquiring is fine.

frostedviolets · 28/10/2019 07:45

And lots of people on this thread have said that they would be offended and whilst they would be polite they would think the OP rude.

Doesn't that tell you that asking about the tree is risky because it is just as likely that the neighbour will be cross and the relationship will be soured?

Karwomannghia · 28/10/2019 07:46

I love the tree for all those reasons! But sympathise with the other neighbours because of the light. And yes the tree is old but it grows quickly.
In my case the neighbours with the tree can barely see it, it’s basically forgotten about at the bottom of their garden, covered in ivy surrounded by old slides etc

Chloe84 · 28/10/2019 07:53

Doesn't that tell you that asking about the tree is risky because it is just as likely that the neighbour will be cross and the relationship will be soured?

I don't think it's risky. The OP asks amicably, the neighbour either says yes or no. In my experience reasonable neighbours don't get cross at these things. You are overthinking this.

Chloe84 · 28/10/2019 07:55

Going to 'deliberately' have a shower now and get to work!

BelindasGleeTeam · 28/10/2019 07:57

I'll ask again OP

What species of tree is it?

What soil are you on?

This will have a bearing on it, I can potentially help you with information.

Some are far more damaging to leave in, others more damaging to remove.

FlamingoAndJohn · 28/10/2019 08:03

Trees grow! They don’t start off huge and they grow to different heights.

Yes, but not in 6 months.
If the op had been there 6 years and this tree had grown substantially in that time she would have a point. But not 6 months.

SurferRona · 28/10/2019 08:04

Seriously @treewoes? I'm not surprised you got your arse handed to you....Sorry there's other stuff going on in your life, maybe focus on putting that right instead? This tree will have been there for generations and as establised as it is it will be a huge support for wildlife in the area (even if not 'lovely trees like oak or beech' . Why is getting three hours extra light a day that important to you, and matter more than local wildlife and biodiversity? Why on earth did you buy this house if you don't like mature trees?! I would definitely mark your cars as your neighbour if you came to me after a few months with that request. And then tell everyone....on your head be the consequences of that decision. I suggest you consider that step v v carefully indeed.
This is why our environment is suffering, perhaps a city apartment would be a better fit for you, let others who love and respect our wonderful trees and nature have the houses like yours!

SurferRona · 28/10/2019 08:06

Mark your card. Maybe your cars too, depends how you came across

DappledThings · 28/10/2019 08:11

I would definitely mark your card as your neighbour if you came to me after a few months with that request. And then tell everyone..

I'm just imaging that. Neighbour at No. 2 comes over to say that No.4 asked her politely if she would consider taking down or significantly cutting back a tree. No. 2 said no and No.4 went away happily with no bad feeling.

I'd think you were massively overreacting and have you marked as the difficult neighbour, not the one who made a request, not a demand.

Flip

1 2 ··· 7 8 9 10 11 12

Swipe left for the next trending thread