To want to trim my hedge

[nervousnelly8]

Literally... no pun intended!

Next to our house (on our side) we have a row of very tall conifers. They are probably 25-30ft tall. They block a lot of light from our house and garden. The view from our living room sofas is literally 100% conifer. I want to cut them back to fence height.

Last time we had them trimmed, the neighbour stopped our tree surgeon and said he mustn't cut them any further because it impacts his privacy. I know he has no right to do this but we didn't make a fuss as didn't want to sour relations. Trimming them down to fence height would mean we could see into his garden from our bedroom windows, and through the roof of his conservatory. The way our houses face, the trees don't impact the neighbour's light at all, so from his perspective their existence is only positive. Whereas for us, it's pretty negative!

AIBU to give them a radical haircut?

Maybe cut them to half way where you wanted it to be.

We are in the process of getting rid of our conifers and replacing with laurels.

They’re our conifers on our side so IDGAF what the neighbours want, they’re going.

He can plant more conifers on his side if he wants to.

Your trees, your rules

They're your hedges, cut them if you want it doesn't sound like you'll be staring straight into your neighbours bedroom or anything.

I’d trim them but consider that if you trim too low the neighbour might just plant a load of key landis on his side which you then have no control over.

Have a chat with your neighbour about a height that suits you both.

If you don't want to kill the trees you can only take them down a bit at a time. Not sure the exact amount off hand though.

Take them out and replace with a fence. No growth = no problem

I'd cut them to the height you want them. If you want to remove them there is nothing he can say about it. You could let him know you are going to do it so he can get some privacy blinds in his conservatory, but if he is so concerned about people looking into his garden from an upstairs room, he needs to move to the middle of nowhere.

Why would a strangers wants trump yours?

Do what YOU want.

You need to cut them at the right time - before birds do nesting in them

Cut them lower than you need then let them grow a bit

He can do what he pleases

Yep. Cut them or remove them completely if you have the time and money. F the neighbour. As a pp said if he wants total privacy,move to the country.

Presumably it's a classed as a hedge then. I'm surprised at your neighbour, it's usually the opposite! I'd cut them back down to 2metres personally. That provides ample privacy to your neighbour.

I’d trim them but consider that if you trim too low the neighbour might just plant a load of key landis on his side which you then have no control over

Not true, if he makes a hedge out of them they need to be kept at 2m, if they go over OP can complain to have them cut back.

@BornInAThunderstorm

Your trees, your rules

Not true if in a conservation area or they have a TPO on them

We couldn't cut any of our without permission from the council

I'd wait until he's gone on holiday and take a chainsaw to them.
They're your trees. They're conifers. They need regular maintenance.

In fact, I think you have a duty of care and health and safety here if they're getting too tall. Your neighbour will be the first to hand you the bill if one of the trees comes down in a windstorm (or freak accident) and hits his house, car or garden.

Tread carefully, you don't want a neighbour dispute on your hands. It can become very stressful. Do try to compromise if possible

Unless you think he's the type to turn into a hellish neighbour, I'd just do it.
Don't tell him beforehand-you don't need his permission and you're not asking for it.

Maybe tell the tree surgeon that he is likely not happy about it - and to ignore his protests, if any.
But do it soon, before nesting season starts.

Assuming they are your trees just chop them down to whatever height you want. You can guarantee if one fell over on his conservatory he wouldnt be happy so tell him thats why you need to do it.

Your trees - do what you want. Neighbour can buy blinds or curtains for privacy.
Bizarre to think that it's your job to provide him with privacy. It's only your responsibility not to invade their privacy, not to provide it for them.

I had an awful run in with a neighbour when I trolled some overhanging branches which were in my garden and which we from a third neighbours garden.

She claimed I was impacting her privacy, accused me of cutting down he trees, and told me I needed the Permission all all impacted neighbours before I did anything.

I tried to explain about the law about overhanging branches, but she was too angry (or stupid🤷🏼‍♀️) to understand.

I spoke to neighbours at her request, and left the branches to grow further into my garden to keep the peace.

A couple of years lasted she build a high deck without planning permission right out against my fence.

Moral of the story, people are arses.

If they are yours I’d speak to him and cut them. I’d tread carefully in case he grows his own! You’ll be stuffed then. I say this from experience, of living next door to selfish arseholes who when we cut ours, planted their own. Ours were at the bottom of our garden and we had no idea they affected them (as in they liked looking at them). They’ve now grown a load down the border, our garden will be in total darkness. They’ve grown to 4 metres since Spring

@Suzi888 you can report it under the hedging laws,

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=408

If they are your trees you can do what you want with them.

They're your trees
They're in your garden
You were paying the tree surgeon!
None of the neighbour's business