Rude not to ask first

[Hackedtree]

I moved into my house about 6 years ago.
There is a large birch tree at the back of the garden. A few months after we moved in my neighbours asked if I would consider cutting it, they complained it had grown a lot over the years. I refused as I love the tree and we didn’t have the money to do it either.
Last year we had some bushes and trees trimmed in our garden, the tree surgeon said our tree is in good condition and doesn’t need cutting. The tree is at the back of our garden but side of the neighbours house where it doesn’t affect light.

Today I noticed that the neighbours had cut the tree. The tree splits into three and a third had been loped off. I did hear noises yesterday but didn’t even consider they would be cutting my tree.

Of course I understand that they are allowed to cut any over hang but AIBU to think you inform your neighbours (we’ve never had any sort of disputes, just say hello if we pass each other). Also as a third of the crown has gone I worry about the integrity of the tree and would have liked to be consulted to know that it’s safe and won’t die prematurely.

Yanbu op they asked six year ago!
They should have said something to you out of good manners.

I can't believe that there are people who are bothered by LEAVES IN A GARDEN!!! WTF?!?

@HappyDays10101 because some mug has to sweep them up. They are very dangerous when wet and can cause falls.

@Covert19

Why the tree hatred on here? Tress are beautiful, and they enhance our environment. Moaning about having to rake up leaves in the autumn, but completely missing the joy of what trees give: shade, habitat for insects and birds, biodiversity, soil cohesion and soaking up water. No big trees = more flooding. I bet you all have astro-turf lawns too.

I was thinking the exact same thing!! Madness. Surely if a tree is blocking light from your garden you were aware of this when you probably bought the place.

We get a ton of leaves on our driveway all throughout autumn, because our road is tree lined. It wouldn't occur to me to complain to the council to have the trees cut down just because we have to sweep up every now and then!

They’ve basically hacked at your tree. I’m not clear, have they cut back further than the boundary?

I’m shocked at people being annoyed at leaves coming into their gardens. Trees drop leaves horror!

It’s a birch tree. It won’t be blocking light or creating dense shade. It will be bringing birdsong and beauty to the area. It’s utterly ridiculous and peevish to chop branches off trees because they ‘overhang’ unless it’s actually causing a problem.

Trees are lovely but if you choose to have one in your garden then it shouldn't impact on your neighbour, either in terms of the garden work they have to do or enjoyment of their garden.

It would have grown again if you had asked the tree surgeon to cut it back. Two if my near neighbours have large fast growing trees in their gardens and they appear to get them pollarded every few years, they look really healthy when they grow back. One of them is right next to my boundary, it's beautiful but nothing will grow underneath it because it takes so much water out of the ground.

I hope you have asked for your property back. Legally they have to offer it to you..

[quote ExclamationPerfume]@HappyDays10101 because some mug has to sweep them up. They are very dangerous when wet and can cause falls.[/quote]
Oh dear. Perhaps we'd better cut down all trees then.

I'm with them. Our neighbour has a tree right next to our boundary and drive. Our drive is covered with leaves and so is our car. Seeds come into our house constantly. Its an effin pain in the arse.

Wet leaves are very dangerous The world’s gone mad!

I've planted loads of trees in every garden I've ever owned - love them in every season. I do however make sure they don't impinge on my neighbours property.

I don’t think they were unreasonable to chop overhanging branches without asking. You were aware they didn’t like it 5 1/2 years ago, it wasn’t going to have got better for them in that time and you didn’t bother to enquire how it affected them when you got a professional opinion on it last year. I think you made your lack of concern for their situation quite apparent.

However, they only had the right to chop off branches that overhung and they have a legal responsibility to do so in a way that doesn’t damage the health of the tree. Since they haven’t stuck to, at least, the first part of that, you have a legal right to be annoyed. I don’t think it’s worth it, though.

It does seem like our current law on trees in gardens sets up these sorts of neighbour disputes. It appears to be quite one sided and frequently leads to annoyance and poorer neighbour relations.

It is strange they did it without letting you know first... I have lots of sympathy with them though in general as my neighbours at the back have a HUGE conifer type tree and for about 5 years now we've talked about it and every time they promise to have it cut a bit shorter and they never do.

Much like yours their tree is right at the end of their garden so they get all the benefits and none of the problems.

@TipTapTip

Yabu, they legally have a right to light which is probably why they wanted it cut. Some People have had negative experiences dealing with people so have avoided any conflict and stuck to the book and done what they can legally without talking to you as they may be scared of interaction.

A right to light is an easement obtained by uninterrupted light for not less than 20 years. They're very unlikely to have a legal right to light which is affected by the tree.

My mums next door neighbour has a huge tree that she’s asked them to cut back. He’s a tree surgery too! He refused. Saying he couldn’t?!? So my mum cut the bits that overhang her garden. However she’s 70!! It’s a bloody nightmare for her when the leaves fall. She had a big fall a few years ago. Due to the leaves which were wet and slippy.

I can see your neighbours sude. We also adore trees. We didn’t cut off branches. But legally they are allowed to do so. Courtesy or not sadly.

@Hackedtree

I have added a picture. The part marked in blue looks as if it was over hanging, it’s pretty obvious that they have cut other branches in the past that have started to grow over but that doesn’t bother me. The ones marked in red were upright branches on my side, many feet up the crown would probably be over hanging but the branches they cut were not actually overhanging.

Does it have a TPO?

Does it have a TPO?
What difference would that make? It still has to be maintained, and it's still not legal to let it grow across someone's garden.

@ExclamationPerfume

They did ask you and you refused. I don't blame them for cutting it. I have to cut my neighbours overhanging tree that he never bothers with.

I agree. It won't have hurt your tree to be trimmed on their side and it will be better for them. Don't be mean.

If it has a TPO no-one can cut it down or back without permission

The op does not appear to be upset about not being offered the branches. I really don't think that's the point here.

I dont mind most trees dropping leaves and wouldn't mind the mess if it was mine and in fact I plan on putting a small potted tree in where only I have to clean it up.

For me it's the fact they do the work so they the tree doesnt affect them and leave the rest to us.

I'd imagine your neighbours were relieved to see you having work done to your other trees but really disappointed to see you didnt do something you knew that they would want if asked. So got fed up and did it themselves.

I think in cases where a neighbour asks a tree owner can they cut their tree back/down they should actually view it from the neighbour's garden. That way there is no I think this one overhangs or not, you can see what their issue is.

The fact that you have had a tree surgeon in your garden and not touched the silver birch tells your neighbours you have no intention of reducing the height etc. They are within the law to cut back anything overhanging their side.

And yes, wet leaves can be dangerous, they just need sweeping if they are on paths.

@WhereverIGoddamnLike

"Not in need of work" means no diseases parts, no off balancing parts etc. It does not mean that it doesn't need maintenance to keep it at a socially accepted size and spread.

You knew how your neighbours felt yet you've done no maintenance on it for 5 and a half years. Of course your neighbours have had it chopped back.

Be a bit more mindful of your nieghbours and your responsibility to maintain your garden so it doesn't encroach on theirs.

This

@JuliaJohnston

Does it have a TPO? What difference would that make? It still has to be maintained, and it's still not legal to let it grow across someone's garden.

You can't wilfully lop a tree with a TPO without permission Or a tree in a conservation area