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!

Sorry but the tree predates you. You can always ask but be prepared to pay the full cost. I would not be impressed if a new neighbour who’d not even said hello previously, offered to pay half the cost to cut my tree down.

If its a poplar (op hasn't said/may not know) they grow incredibly fast & like willows can cause a lot of damage to properties (RHS says so!) If you are allowed to trim tree they will regrow quite robustly -

I feel terribly upset when people cut down beautiful old trees that have been there for ages. (Some fuckers got the council to take down an absolutely gorgeous chestnut near me, with a perfect, hemispherical canopy that was just beautiful. It had been there for donkey's years, and clearly wasn't damaging any of the houses. Then one morning, pfft, gone.)

As a PP said, if trees bother you so much, why the hell did you choose to move into a house with a tree overhanging your back garden? From your description it sounds like it's been in its current state for decades, certainly pre-dating your arrival.

Your neighbours won't think you're odd for asking, but if they're anything like me, they'd just say no out of hand.

GwackyWacky

I can't tell if you are being serious or not 😅😂. Pruning or cutting back trees or even removing ones that are in the wrong place is hardly 'slaughtering life'

I've removed dozens of trees from my garden when I moved in. The previous owners had planted things with no thought whatsoever. Eg Leylandii (sp?) planted over drainage runs a few metres from the house. That's just idiotic. Ive replanted with carefully chosen native trees which are far more wildlife friendly. (Eg lots of berries for the birds etc)
I also get a tree surgeon in every few year to look after the trees. I live in residential area and think I have a duty to be a good neighbour.

I spoke to all my neighbours before cutting down the trees in my garden and took their opinions into account (except for the rude git 😅. I ignored him)

I can't see any harm in asking.

I have a massive treee in my garden. I have no intention of cutting it as I like it if a neighbour knocked on my door asking me to remove it I would shut the door in their face

OP, I think you would be daft not to ask based on the replies in this thread. There is no harm in asking. Your neighbours might be really pleased and even if they don't won't any work done as long as you are polite then I can't see what harm it could do. If your neighbours are like aggressive self righteous loons (mentioning no names 😬) then who cares what they think.

Hi @treewoes Sorry but YABU. The tree was there when you moved in, so you may have to suck it up.

You can't buy a house with a certain thing that is irksome, and then complain about it when you move in. You'd have known about the tree when you moved in.

It's like moving near to a Church, and then moaning about the clock chiming, and the bells ringing every Sunday. Or moving near a train station, and then complaining that people are parking in your street, whilst they go off somewhere for the day on the train...

Having said that, it can't hurt to ask them. Expect a firm NO though.

All this said, I think anyone who plants a tree that grows more than 20 feet in a small to medium sized residential garden is a bit daft anyway. They are beautiful things, but quite detrimental to property.

Some daft twat planted 3 Leylandii and 3 silver birch trees within 8-15 feet of a house we bought/lived in once. We still bought the house, but chopped them all down. They were all 50 to 75 feet high. Absolute madness to plant trees like this, just 8 to 15 feet from your house!

We did post more trees by the way, before I get accused of murdering the planet! We planted 3 Japanese Maple trees, 2 Laburnum, and 3 fruit trees.

Can you post a photo of the tree you're on about?

Many mature trees have a Tree Preservation order, and even cutting them back has to be approved. There are all kinds of variables here, the type of tree, distance from houses etc. Taking down a large tree can also pose problems beyond the immediate access and safety concerns. It can lead to heft, when the ground shifts around the vacuum created.
It is also the case that you need to try to imagine the space without the tree, you may get more light, but you may also get more noise, pollution and much less privacy. Trees are really important for the planet and should be cherished, but they are also a monumental presence, and with more time you may grow to absolutely love this tree, and perhaps your neighbours already do.
Having said that, it maybe that there is no Tree Presevation Order, and the tree could be removed or pruned. I think you could talk to them, but from a position of humble enquiry.Think about it. Assess its size. Learn its name. Observe it. Don’t be hasty, please.

Just a heads up that any kind of tree surgery where I live costs a lot of money - have you even had an estimate for removal, before you go round dropping off notes or knocking the door?

I’m in the Midlands if anyone has any idea of costs around these parts.

But I think I’ve decided to leave it now as I don’t want to fall out with any neighbours.

Perhaps one of these days it will fall down and that will solve the problem - as long as it doesn’t land on my house!

We had two huge trees in our garden when we moved in, a fur and another lovely, but enormous evergreen (can’t recall the name).

We kept them, as we loved the wildlife they attracted. They did block a lot of light though.

Sadly, we had to remove the biggest one a couple of years ago as it was dying, and huge branches started to fall off. We didn’t want to risk one falling in to our neighbours garden, they have kids whose trampoline was under it.

We were sad for it to go, but I have to say it’s made a huge difference to the light levels in our, and our neighbours garden. Other plants seems to grow better now, we have put in a wildlife pond next to the old tree stump which attracts lots of wildlife. We kept the stump In place which has become an insect haven.

Removing a tree isn’t great, but for us it’s made such a huge difference to the garden. If the tree was In good health we would have left it, but as it is I am happy it’s gone.

Well I live in a newish property, and the developers planted a sycamore in our small garden. I’ll have to trim / remove / replace it soon because it’s a completely inappropriate choice for the space. I don’t think enough people realise that plants need to be managed - you can’t always leave them to their own devices.

OP I'm in the midlands as well. It's probably safe to assume it would cost significantly more than you might expect - it's not akin to getting some gardeners in for the day!

You’ve still refused to answer the question on why you bought this house if the tree next door bothers you so much you want to cut it down.

I think it’s an unreasonable request. Even asking politely if they would have it reduced could cause problems, because how awkward will you - and they - feel if they turn round and say “no”. In terraced housing you need to be on the best possible terms with your neighbours. This could put you on a bad footing from the off.

Yes I’m sure it would cost a lot, I was expecting around £2-£3000 but it could very well be more, I don’t know.

Hearts I haven’t refused to do anything, I just don’t want to engage with rude posters as there’s really no point.

I think the best thing to do would be to design a lovely woodland garden with white painted fences and predominantly white flowers to be honest.

I think no matter how polite you ask you risk being on bad terms with the neighbours if you ask.

I know if that if I had a tree and a new neighbour asked me to cut or thin it while I wouldn't be rude to them I would be annoyed.

I would think to myself you knew very well the tree was here before you moved in but you moved in anyway then you think you can come round and demand I cut my tree 😱
You cheeky fucker!

You could try trimming the branches that you can reach back to the fence line, that is what I do with my neighbours and that does reduce the shade somewhat

Good idea to keep schtum I think. It could hurt to ask. You've no way of knowing how they might respond and it's a reasonably realistic possibility that they'll think you're a cheeky twat.

You have an old Growth tree that provides shade at the warmest time of
Day. People pay extra for homes like that. As the homeowner, I wouldn’t even entertain your request because i would enjoy the tree and removing it could damage my property value.

Lot of trees in our garden. We have lived here 9 years. House at the back has been built for ten years. There is a huge lime green coloured pine tree at the bottom of our garden which must have been there at least 20 years if not longer. New neighbours behind us told us that we are not allowed to grow such a big tree near to their house🙄. They said we needed to cut it down by at least 20 foot. Tree would look ridiculous like that. The people gave up when I pointed out to them that the tree had been there for many years before their house
I consider the tree to be a block of flats for the numerous birds and squirrels that live in it. The tree does shade their house most of the day but a large part of their back garden is in full sun for most of the day.

I live in a very old terrace cottage,and there are five huge poplar trees at the bottom of the garden,and they are so lovely. They are not actually in my garden,but just over the bottom fence in a field like garden belonging to someone else.

They have been there for years,and are not near to any drains or sewers etc,and not a problem at all. I love the track of the sun on them as it moves around,and love the rustling of the trees when it's windy. They give some shade in the garden at times, but this how it is, and everyone loves these trees.

having just spent about five hours with a leaf vacuum in my garden even though I don’t own any trees I feel your pain.

I am surrounded by sycamores. My precious neighbours used to get the trees trimmed back regularly, but the new neighbours have let them grow wild. I cut back overhanging branches, but got yelled at for this. I get no light in the garden now at all, and the grass has all died.

You are entitled to cut back any overhanging. Branches. Speak to them about reducing the height. If you are employing a qualified tree surgeon they might be glad to bring the tree back under control.

Ignore all the nasties on this thread, some trees are simpLy not appropriate For suburban settings, I would kill to have apple trees around me instead of these monstrosities.