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?

I would just write a polite note back

"Hi, thanks for contacting me. I am happy to work with the council on this if they feel the tree poses a danger, but if it doesn't, they won't remove it. You are, of course, welcome to prune the branches which hang into your property, which I think is the standard rule on this. I, in turn, will keep my side pruned. I moved in 5 years ago, so unfortunately am not able to discuss tree issues which predate this"

That’s a good note BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz think I will go with that! Thanks

When we moved into our present house one of the first jobs we did was have a large conifer cut down. The thing should never have been planted in the garden in the first place as it towered over our house and the house behind.
The new neighbors bought around flowers in thanks and I eventually planted a lovely mock orange in its place. Still gives a degree of privacy As I keep it at about 1.5 metres tall and you get a lovely fragrance from it rather than just piles of pine needles to clear up.

Have you not had the tree pruned in the five years you have lived there? I mean these things grow big and fast. Just in the time you’ve lived there it could of easily got 10ft higher. The longer you let it get taller the more it’s going to cost to get to any kind of decent height and the more damage it will cause if it falls.

Tell the tree nazis to piss right off and then say it again.
Tough shit for them, you are not obliged to cut the tree down and you can contest it with the council as it is compromising your privacy.
They can bluster all they want but there is nothing they can do about it.
My neighbours went on about the trees for the whole 15 years I lived there and got nowhere, I got a protection order on the tree just before I left to piss them off and they were livid.
Not to be awkward but trees are being felled so much we practically live in a barren landscape and there is nowhere for animals and insects to go.

Horror at the idea of cutting down Any Tree is silly. Not every tree is always a wonderful addition to where it is. Sometimes a different tree would be better. Certain trees like conifers (and Cycamores actually) in the wrong place can be miserable to live near and not much benefit to wild life. Removing and replanting with an alternative species is a perfectly ok idea in these cases.

We tried to keep on top of the massive and numerous lelandii at the bottom of our garden which were there when we moved in but they but just grew so bloody fast. Eventually just got them cut down because maintenance was expensive and the back neighbour (who I had never met) came round to thank me and was so happy.

Incidentally I was worried about privacy but the increased light makes up for people having the odd glimpse of our garden.

God conifers are awful. I would be deeply upset if I had such an ugly monstrosity overhanging my garden. They grow at epic rates, people never look after them. And within a few years they’re too big to deal with.
Why people plant trees that should be in forests and not gardens I just don’t know. It’s so anti social.
Plant a lovely apple tree or something. And take it down.

Well I like the tree

OP what sort of tree is this and is it a single one?

Your neighbour could complain to the council if it is adversely affecting the complainants reasonable enjoyment of their property. this would come under the legislation on high hedges comes under Section 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act (2003), but only if it is made up of two or more trees.

If it in fact a tree you should contact your local council and see if it is listed under the councils TPO (Tree Preservation Order) many do, in which case they cannot touch it.

Also neither the Council or any one else can come and remove the tree without an onsite inspection as it may well have or TPO and also to conduct a wildlife check (In case it has a bat roost etc).

Either way I would contact the council yourself first and ask if there has been a complaint and if it has a TPO and then factor this into your letter to your neighbour to inform them that you have checked.

Finally if it has grown out of proportion and not next to a public path or right away, I would get some one to trim it back to a height that you see fit and one that still provided your privacy as a good will gesture and prevents any more aggravation. Plus it then cancels out any further action he may try to take as you have been willing to co-operate.

You may well like the tree. But it’s an antisocial type of tree. It just is. Just google it and you’ll see how notorious they are!
They’re lovely in a forest.
Anyway. If you don’t have to do anything don’t, but it’s a bit unfair on him

I truly struggle to understand the logic of the law regarding trees.

Someone plants a massive tree in their own garden. Eventually that tree grows to the point it’s blocks their neighbours light, causing all matter of mess in neighbours garden and possibly making part of their neighbours garden unusable. But yet the innocent neighbour has to pay with their money to get it cut back yearly or do the hard work if chopping themselves and pay for the petrol to dispose of it at their local tip in their own time!!!

Meanwhile the owner of tree doesn’t care 2 hoots about the neighbour who’s been inconvenienced

I’m know not all tree owners are selfish, because I did once have extremely considerate neighbours who always insisted it was their tree and therefore their responsibility. He always used to come into my garden to chop it back and clear up too😃

But unfortunately, plenty of tree owners don’t do this and that’s very selfish.

Conifers are lovely trees when grown in a Forrest area and so allowed to reach their natural height.

Not so great in a back garden.

I think people are just clueless and don’t realise dense forest trees are just that. Dense forest trees. Not cute bloody garden trees

Well I like the tree

Not many people do in this setting so it’s doubley bad luck for him that not only has he got one bordering the bottom of his garden The person renting the property from the council Its in, s a very rare one who likes it there, 🤣

I would check that story with the local council; it smells off to me.

It's part and parcel of living within a community isn't it? I mean if you're Lord or Lady Muck with an estate you can plant what you like - it's affecting no one. But when we're all living with small outside areas with close boundaries it's courteous to be aware of spoiling another persons enjoyment of their home.

No one is saying get rid of trees. Have the right tree. Makes for a better love of nature all round.

He’s named a person from the council who he has apparently spoke to, he says in the letter the council will be willing to cut it down but may take up to a year and he “isn’t willing to wait that long” ?! I’m feeling like maybe I will just have to cut it down then since everyone hates them.

People need to remember I didn’t plant the tree I have lived in the house 5 years, my house was built in the 50s

Bloody great conifers are a damn nuisance and people who let them grow tall and wide in their garden are selfish.
Why should a neighbour pay to have your tree cut back or do it themselves and get rid of the rubbish?
It’s a filthy horrible job cutting back neglected trees and it’s time the law was changed.
I might set up a petition about this.

Op if the council is going to cut it down let them, cutting a tree down and removing it is expensive and will cost you a few hundred.

The tree isn't your fault OP, many people have moved into houses and then have to deal with what previous owners have built or planted. How you deal with it now is what is important.

As a next step could you possibly ask him if you could go round and have a look at the tree from his garden? (even if you don't immediately agree with him) It would show good neighborliness (is that a word??) and start lines of communication.

The council will not remove a tree that doesn't pose a risk to property/life or isn't a sick tree. Even more so if it is in your garden. The tree is your responsibility and if it is safe and healthy then you at perfect liberty to leave the tree in place. He cannot force you to remove a healthy, safe, tree.

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