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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
beckyvardy · 27/10/2019 19:02

@FlamingoAndJohn

That garden is lush in very jealous ❤️

beckyvardy · 27/10/2019 19:03

Just knock and ask op. Can't hurt if you are polite about it.

Original poster
treewoes · 27/10/2019 19:55

Thank you Gwacky - I really appreciate that. I’m going through a difficult time at the moment for various reasons (not that anyone on here could be expected to know that of course!) and I think some of the replies on this thread just tipped me over the edge!

OP posts:
Dollymixture22 · 27/10/2019 20:13

Tree woes - I think some people on mumsnet like to be dramatic and deliberately sensational.

Hope you are ok - i was having an awful time when my neighbour berated me for trimming a tree that was overhanging my garden. It wasn’t even her tree. I was having counselling at the time and dedicated a whole session to it. I am really embarrassed now that I allowed such a little thing to have such a big impact, but I was in a very dark place and just didn’t have any resilience.

Please ignore the sillier comments on here,

LolaSmiles · 27/10/2019 20:38

dolly
I agree some of the responses here are silly and over the top, however, I would still be confused about a new neighbour I've not spoken to who's bought a property in the last 6 months coming round to ask me about whether it's possible to chop my trees. I have to admit my first thought would be 'you bought a property with a tree near by and now complain about the tree'. If i wanted rid of any trees in my garden then I'd have got rid of them myself and certainly would be a little taken back by a request. It wouldn't ruin neighbourly relations but I'd find it quite odd.

Whereas if my neighbour had been in place a while and called round to let me know the back of my tree/hedge had shot up/out and was causing some issues and would it be possible to arrange some pruning, then I'd be totally up for a chat, look at what needs doing, discuss costs etc because that's being a good neighbour.

DawnOfTheDeadleg · 27/10/2019 20:41

It can hurt. The OP risks her neighbours thinking she's a CF. Some of the replies on this thread have been daft, yes. But thinking its taking the piss to choose to buy the house knowing about the tree, then knock on asking about chopping it when you barely know each other, that's a fairly mainstream view. It's a risk.

foxatthewindow · 27/10/2019 21:00

We used to have a big feature tree that our neighbours hated - they brought it up frequently and I always gently reminded them that it is visible from all the way down the road and was there when they bought the house. Luckily for me it has a TPO on it so we couldn’t do anything about it anyway, but if it hadn’t the first thing I would have done was get the council to slap a TPO on it the minute they brought it up. Similarly, the neighbour the other side had a very large canopied tree which did shade our garden for much of the afternoon. Such is life! Anyway, it’s not that simple. While big trees can be crown lifted or even pollarded, it’s not really great for them. And getting rid of the tree might not be great for your house!

Sammyp235 · 27/10/2019 21:19

@treewoes

The old guy we bought the house off had planted them about coming 30 years earlier so when we moved in, I think they thought, ohh we’ll let them know how we feel. They kept going on about how big they were yada yada yada....

They were just moaning for the sake of it I think. It didn’t affect them at all other than they probably got a few leaves dropping in the autumn.

We did however trim the one at the front as that was too high for the location of it. FYI it was about £350 to get it trimmed down.

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable and I do get your point.

Djimino · 27/10/2019 21:40

GwackyWacky

I see one of your comments was deleted by MNHQ 👀👀 Maybe you don't realise how your posts come across. I would describe them as aggressive and unpleasant. I don't know if that was your intention or not but if not then maybe you need to rethink your style of posting. 🤷🏻‍♀️
It is possible to disagree with posters in a constructive and helpful way rather than just laying into them.

misspiggy19 · 27/10/2019 21:50

**This is a very common neighbourly request - five minutes on google will show hundreds of posts about this.

The advice is usually to talk to the neighbour and make the offer that OP is proposing here.

I think it is totally reasonable and doesn’t warrant the extreme responses from some here.**

^I agree with this.

Barbie222 · 27/10/2019 21:54

We have a big tree and it does suck a lot of light (mostly from us) but the motorway behind is worse to look at so it stays. I could understand someone approaching me but I'd say no even if the motorway wasn't there.

LolaSmiles · 27/10/2019 21:58

misspiggy19
But wouldn't that tend to be the case if something has gradually grown big over time and you've already spoken?
6 months in, never spoken and putting in a request to cut a tree that was there when they viewed and bought because they want the sun between 12 and 3 would be a bit unusual surely?

There was a thread on here where someone bought a house built in a plot that was previously a garden, the original owner had trees and the person who bought the new house then complained about the mature trees that had been there for decades and wanted them moving for casting shade. The consensus was they bought the house with the trees near by and they needed to get a grip

levighi · 27/10/2019 22:06

We have a tree of this size. I know it would be £350 to cut down as my neighbours sent their tree surgeon over with the quote.

I really like my tree though because it’s both a nice view in itself and it entirely blocks my view of their house.

If you really must approach them go gently. Talk to them first. Then maybe ask about it, offering to pay should they consider it. Mainly I’d say leave the tree alone though.

totallyradllama · 27/10/2019 22:19

I think what this thread shows is that you don't know how your neighbour feels about the tree until you ask nicely.

They might hate it but not be able to afford to cut it, they might love it or they might be lazy and not bothered either way. All of those three have happened in our neighbourhood

bobbley · 27/10/2019 22:33

I'd bloody love my neighbour to pop round and offer to go halves on getting my massive tree chopped back! I'm well aware that it's ready for doing but I haven't got the money to get it done properly.

I think there's no harm in asking OP.

DappledThings · 27/10/2019 22:38

I was about to post on this thread when my phone died so I picked up my book instead the next paragraph started with this rather appropriate quote.

I can't believe how angry frostedviolets and others are at the idea of just being asked something. OP has given no indication she would be aggressive or demanding or that she wouldn't accept refusal with good grace.

Enormous tree in neighbour's garden
1Morewineplease · 27/10/2019 22:39

Hi OP.
Just wondering, have you had any damage to your property as a result of this tree? I only ask as a neighbour, some years ago , had let a tree grow so high that it’s roots damaged our lawn. We were considering having a word with them when we noticed that they went up for sale. New owners immediately dealt with the tree without asking so we were a bit lucky there but we certainly would have said something. I suspect that the tree was too much for the previous owners to cope with.
Maybe you could take photos of the tree and email them with your concerns to your buildings insurers. They may be able to tell you about where you stand and tell you more about the spread of the roots. It’s quite something when you find out.
Some trees take up so much water that surrounding properties may be at risk of subsidence. You might need to find out what type of soil you have... chalky, clay etc and this could have a bearing.
No one likes to see trees chopped down , they may only need to be pollarded, but property builders in the past generally planted trees that would grow quickly to ‘mature’ the development more quickly without thought to 30+ years onwards.
I’m also sorry that you’ve had some rude posts on your thread. Really unnecessary.
Good luck and keep us posted.

cauliflowersqueeze · 27/10/2019 22:43

Absolutely I would ask. Why not you have nothing to lose.

They may well be very pleased.

Good luck OP.

Chloe84 · 27/10/2019 22:54

The last tree threadI read, the OP got ripped to shreds because she had a big 100 year + tree in her garden that pre-dated all the new build houses around her. She got called rude and selfish for having the tree Grin

OP, you can never win here.

frostedviolets · 27/10/2019 23:14

i can't believe how angry frostedviolets and others are at the idea of just being asked something

I'm not angry Confused

I've re read my posts a number of times now and honestly do not see this 'aggressiveness' or 'anger' that is being stated.

Reading the whole thread (again) by far the most aggressive person is the OP...

I told the OP how I personally would feel if I was the neighbour.

As I have said multiple times, I would never be rude or aggressive to the neighbour asking for it to be cut, i would be polite but I would secretly think them rude, selfish, entitled etc.
I am quite allowed to think someone selfish etc in my head you know.

If the neighbour does actually like the tree then despite posters saying it'll all be fine I suspect that actually the neighbour will be frosty, even if they don't outright say anything to OP.

It's not 'just being asked something'.

You are deliberately asking someone to remove something they like just because you personally don't like it.

How that isn't rude I don't know.

The fact you are offering to pay for it or that they can say no doesn't make it okay.

MaPaSpa · 27/10/2019 23:19

The only reason we cut down our 100+ ft tree is because it was troubling our 20+ year neighbours foundations. Loved that tree and for anything less especially a newbie wouldn't have considered it. it might be a bug as might not, but yabu either way.

MaPaSpa · 27/10/2019 23:20

*big ask

Luscinia · 27/10/2019 23:37

if you have overhanging branches over your property - then you are allowed to cut those. (and offer them back).

Not if you are in a conservation area or the tree has a TPO on it. You aren't allowed to cut any branches off as you need permission from the council.

Seeingadistance · 27/10/2019 23:49

I've only read the first and last pages of the thread.

I don't think there's any harm at all in going round to introduce yourself to the neighbour, have a chat and ask if they'd mind having the tree reduced or removed, at your expense. They'll either agree, or they won't.

It's possible that they are not happy about the height of the tree themselves, but don't want the expense of having it dealt with.

Either way, no harm in asking nicely.

HiJenny35 · 27/10/2019 23:57

I'd find you very rude if you'd moved in 6 months ago and came to ask about a tree that was clearly over 50 years old. I can understand maybe you didn't realise the impact when you purchase the house but that's your issue and with such a large visible issue you can't claim to have missed it. Maybe a note through the door I'd find less confrontational than having someone on my doorstep but it would need to be very carefully worded. To be honest I'd be rather cross and would avoid you if you moved in and suggested this.

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