Tree in my garden

[PumpkinP]

Just had a letter posted through my door from a neighbour, must be the house behind, saying they want me to cut my tree down, I have never spoken to this neighbour so this is the first I’ve heard, they have said that they have been in contact with the council to get the tree cut down, before even speaking to me?! (Mine is a council house) and that the council will be contacting me to arrange it but that it may take up to a year and that apparently they are not willing to wait a year! They are also saying they’ve had issues since 2010 but I’ve only lived here since 2015. Aibu to not want to cut my tree?

He’s being cheeky by not having a friendly conversation with you before contacting the council, but, large trees in urban areas can be a an absolute pain. Sometimes people plant them without any consideration to the size they’ll grow to. Is it making his house dark, spoiling his garden in some way ? I certainly don’t agree with the way he’s gone about things, but perhaps it’s really causing distress.

Op what does your tenancy say, does it speak to it and garden maintenance?

Conifers can grow two to three feet a year, so in ten years it could have grown twenty to thirty foot.

you need to check the tenancy or speak to the council, they can take the tree down, because they own the property but you don’t want to get into a discussion of causing a neighbour issues or have the council take it down and present you with a bill.

As you don’t own the house you need to be clear on your rights and obligations here.

I don’t understand folk who complain about trees that were there when they bought the house

Cmon, seriously? Conifers grow two to three foot a year. It might not even have been there when he bought the house, or certainly not an issue or visible to him.

The owner of the tree should be asked for branches to be cut back that overhang a garden belonging to someone else. The council own the tree so it’s their responsibility. Not yours. Therefore all you need to say is that it’s not your tree and not your responsibility. You could approach the council and ask about when the work can be done because the neighbour shouldn’t have to put up with an overhanging tree if it’s a nuisance.

It might also depend on the species of tree. A huge field sycamore is very different to a garden appropriate cherry. But as it’s not your tree, just say it’s not for you to cut it down or him.

Yes we are in the same position to your neighbour unfortunately. This absolute beast should never have been planted on a boundary and is growing at an alarming rate. At its widest it overhangs our boundary by 6ft, but it is so high we can't reach to prune it. All around the earth is extremely dry so nothing will grow. All manner of crap drops out of it, so essentially that corner of our garden is which used to be a patio with table and chairs is no longer fit for purpose, and we don't get sun light in the garden until 11am. We are on a downward slope to the neighbours which compounds it for us. I'd happily plant some bamboo or something light along the boundary for privacy, but a bloody great conifer is too much.

If it is a conifer it should come down! Not suitable for a garden tree.

And please excuse the mess we are doing some work in the garden.

Bloody enormous bamboo might not be the answer either!

Not necessarily bamboo but you know something whispy and light rather than this abomination.

The council own the tree so it’s their responsibility

Ultimately yes, but her tenancy Agreement may speak to her obligations.

Well, it depends what type of tree, how big it is, what “problems” it’s causing, whereabouts it is, and myriad other things tbh.

You haven’t given anywhere near enough information.

Well I have spoken to the council and they said that I will not have to cut it down unless it’s dangerous or causing damage to his property but it’s at the end of both of our gardens so can’t see that being the case. It is a large tree, very large I don’t mind it being trimmed down but I don’t want it removed

I think, generally, that trees benefit us all. UNless it's falling down I'd just say he can cut back to boundary and no more.

You haven’t given anywhere near enough information.

Neither has he he has never spoken to me, this is the first time, he is complaining about it over hanging, the tree is at the bottom of both of our gardens.

@TheMostHappy I'd recommend a pole saw to trim it back.

I think, generally, that trees benefit us all.

Well yes, unless they completely block the light AND suck the soil dry and of all nutrients. There is a reason nothing grows in woods with these trees. There is always the circle of death, I call it. I had cypress or similar in the garden. Previous owner planted it. Everything around it died. The moment I got rid of it for the sake of more nature beneficial plants, everything started growing like crazy. Not even a bloody dandelion before.
So I get why people want to get rid of these. Difficult to handle and mass murderers of other plants.

Ok. So you just write to him and say you have been in touch with your council landlord. The person he spoke to at the council can speak to your person at the council and leave it up to them to arrange a site inspection at a mutually convenient time as they may need to access both gardens.

I don’t think it blocks light from his garden, he hasn’t mentioned that in the letter.

I don’t mind trees or the loss of sunlight but I wish there was a rule about distance to boundaries. If you want a tree plant in the middle of your garden so neighbours do not get 40% of a plant they didn’t choose. Trees I can live with but ivy and bamboo are another matter. I should not have to spend my time or money controlling neighbours weeds!

You can trim and shape some high conifers, to make them look better.Some conifers can get out of control, and need lopping off to a more reasonable height. ( I think you said it was a conifer of some type)

He can trim the overhanging bits, provided he doesn't damage the tree.

I'd refer him to your council housing department. It's not your tree! I would also let them know that he's raised this and that you want the tree to stay. It's unlikely he'll get anywhere unless the tree is dangerous e.g. undermining his house, or in danger of falling over.

Otherwise, ignore him.

He can cut off some over hang but do not let him do this without you being at home if possible. He cannot de-stabilise the tree or cause it to lean. Nor can he cause damage.

I am another who cannot understand people who move to a property then start complaining to various neighbours about trees, hedges etc in their gardens which were clearly visible when they bought.

He also cannot cut back at the moment if there are nests or wildlife in the hedge (Wildlife and Countryside Act). There are huge fines for this. Our Council has recently put preservation orders on trees in the village as this same neighbour wants these beautiful, ancient trees cut down as well.

I would simply tell him that you have spoken to the Council who have told you that the tree certainly does not have to go and you wish it to remain also. He cannot force you to remove it. Try not to worry about it. After this I would not enter into further discussion or correspondence about it. I say this with sad experience.

Has he put a contact name or address?

Yes his name and address is on it, I believe he is the house behind as it can’t be anyone else.

Fuck all will grow under these huge conifers, I removed 6 when we bought this house and the garden came to life! I don’t think they are suitable trees for gardens tbh and I love trees!