Enormous tree in neighbour's garden

[treewoes]

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!

As my tree surgeon told me, the most amazing thing about trees is you can remove a problematic one and plant a much more suitable one.

We removed a massive silver birch that covered half our garden in shade and the majority of our neighbour's garden - which we didn't realise it did. It was taller than the roof of their house (modern estate over-planted show home)

They were so grateful when we removed it. We also took out a diseased cherry tree and two leaning, very shallow rooted trees which we replaced with other trees.

Trees are lovely if they are looked after. I don't think that all trees deserve to stay, maybe they can be replaced with something as beautiful and more size appropriate.

All these people up in arms at being asked! It is asking, maybe the neighbours do not realise the impact and the OP has only been in her house 6 months, how was she to know how much shadow the tree cast?

clutchingon
Someone not liking the fact that they get some shade between 12-3 and they'd rather not isn't comparable to not looking after a tree.

If having the sun in the garden all afternoon was super important then you'd arrange a visit mid afternoon to check or you'd not buy a property with a large tree next to it

I don't see how it's rude to have a tree on your land that a new neighbour doesn't like.

Rude if it was causing mass structural issues, yes.
Rude if branches were dangerously overhanging and not being willing to talk, yes.
Rude if you and your neighbours have been there a while and what started as a small shrub has been allowed to take over, absolutely.

New neighbour doesn't like mature tree which was there when they bought the place 6 months ago doesn't equal rude

@treewoes I think you've been massively unfairly treated

We are sorting my mum and dads house out for sale and the (relatively new) neighbour asked if we would be willing to trim or cut down a large pine in the garden. It's a big tree but was left alone for years as mum and dad got older

I recall Dad quite liked the tree but mum quite ambivalent about it and she would have been happy to be asked.

The neighbour has offered to pay and we've said yes, that's fine to cut it down fully. All very amicable and would have been a compromise to just trim it back if we had really liked it.

I really truly cannot believe that people can't have a reasonable conversation. If the neighbour says not I love it and would rather keep it' then that would be fine too. I think a lot of people should go and live in a hut in the middle of a wood......

I think you could ask, they may want the tree dealt with anyway.

We have a similar problem with a huge tree in next door's garden dumping it's leaves on our conservatory roof every Autumn but it provides a really lovely couple of hours of shade in the summer when the sun is at it's highest so we decided to leave be.

Owing to house insurance purposes, we have had to remove 2 trees in our land and had to ask a neighbour plus the council to remove two from their land as well, all within 12 months of moving into a new property.

This was because of the threat and danger that would be caused in high winds if they fell.

The neighbour was lovely. The council was a bastard even though that tree was actually even growing through the village electricity cable supply too

Shortly after we moved in our neighbours asked us to cut down a tree that was blocking sunlight to their property and offered to go halves. We agreed to go ahead as we could see how it was impacting them.

Similar thing happened on the other side where some trees had got completely our of hand. This time we offered to go halves and those neighbours agreed. All very amicable.

So no I don't think you're being unreasonable to ask. Most decent human beings will consider their neighbours' feelings.

SummerSazz
Your situation makes sense though. You're sorting a property to sell. A neighbour knows this and has taken the opportunity to ask if something can be done before the next people buy.Only an arsehole would object to that conversation.

I think you're right in that most people would be polite if they had the request from the OP, but I do think a lot of people would inwardly find it a bit odd to buy somewhere only to be complaining and wanting things outside your property changed 6 months in for no other reason than "I want to have the sun between 12-3". I'd never be rude to anyone who put OP's request, and but I'd definitely think to myself "if I wanted rid of my tree then I'd have got rid and I'm not getting rid because a new neighbour has decided they want a few hours more sun".

We were the neighbours with the massive tree. Hadn't lived there long ourselves. The tree had been neglected for many years and was gigantic in proportion to the tiny residential gardens it overshadowed. We agreed to share the cost. No one tried to shaft anyone. There was an adult conversation. We were all pleased with the result.

No big deal. I'm at some of the drama on this thread.

Honestly, genuinely, do not think I have been overly rude or aggressive or attacking.
I really don't.

Of course you don't @frostedviolets

OP - just ask them. Be polite. If it were me, if I wanted to keep it there or not, I would still be polite back. MN is the weirdest place honestly. Full of extremely highly strung people

Is this in Cardiff? Just wondering as one of my relatives has a massive cherry tree and it covers 4 gardens on a terraced estate.
It can't be removed because of access issues and anyway, they can't afford to have it done.

@LolaSmiles yes, it is different but I do think Mum would have been happy to have had it taken out, or at least severely chopped and would not have taken any offence.

I think we need a photo of the tree. It would help enormously with comparing size and proximity to properties as well as enabling posters to identify the species.