Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that people should have to get permission from all surrounding neighbors before cutting down a tree?

225 replies

ElberethGilthoniel · 30/08/2021 12:31

I live in a third floor flat with a lovely surrounding of trees on each side giving a treehouse sort of vibe.

Two times over this summer, neighbors in houses with large gardens have chopped down huge trees (approx 30 meters) that must have been over 50 years old.

This has really affected the views and amount of light from both sides of our flat, and made the whole area less appealing. Is it unreasonable to think that there should have been some neighborhood consultation before they did this? Or some sort of democratic process?

OP posts:
MiddlesexGirl · 30/08/2021 12:43

How do you know if they were healthy and unproblematic. Even the op doesn’t know that. It’s very rare someone spends what will be thousands of pounds to cut down a ninety foot tree without good reason.

On this occasion I don't, hence the use of the word 'if'.
You clearly don't live anywhere near me if you've never noticed a tree being cut down for no good reason. The latest is because for maximum two weeks of the year it was dropping blossom on the car.

Heronwatcher · 30/08/2021 12:43

No way, the chances of everyone agreeing are nil! You’d end up with a whole separate “tree court” with “tree lawyers” taking 5 years to make a decision while roots are growing through the walls! Totally ridiculous. I love trees BTW.

NiceTwin · 30/08/2021 12:43

So the tree could be causing structural damage to the owner's house but if the local neighbours decide it should stay, that is okay?
Bonkers!

DuckDuckGooses · 30/08/2021 12:44

@ElberethGilthoniel

I'm not really asking about the local authority rules on this, more just the morality of the issue or if it was the polite thing to do?

The trees seemed pretty healthy, plenty of leaves and everything. I assume it was a light issue for other neighbors

The morality of the situation?Grin IMO not your trees, not your land, not your business surely.

It's not about being "polite" as it's certainly not rude for them to do some landscaping in their own property!

worriedatthemoment · 30/08/2021 12:48

Its not the polite thing to do , its their trees and going to tell a block of flats is just not necessary and you have no idea why the trees were cut , trees can sometimes undermine property's with roots etc, be diseased , all sorts

Bluntness100 · 30/08/2021 12:49

@ElberethGilthoniel

I'm not really asking about the local authority rules on this, more just the morality of the issue or if it was the polite thing to do?

The trees seemed pretty healthy, plenty of leaves and everything. I assume it was a light issue for other neighbors

Seriously? 😂 no irs not polite to canvas opinion from anyone who can see the tree. And you don’t even know why they had them taken down

Taking a tree down of that scale and removing all the waste is a massive expense. No one does it lightly unless they are totally loaded and batshit. Not least because the water than the tree was taking from the land is then left in the ground which can unsettle properties near by, Large trees close to properties can be very dangerous indeed.

So no there is no “morality” simply because you liked the view.

They

Original poster
ElberethGilthoniel · 30/08/2021 12:51

Well. The tree is nowhere near their actual property. It's at the far end of their garden, again about 40 meters away from the back porch. The idea that people living in nearby houses seem to have been consulted, but those in flats havent is the offensive thing I think?

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 30/08/2021 12:52

It’s a shame for your view, but I’m not sure you can claim it’s negatively affected your light - less trees = more light, after all.

It’s unreasonable to think they should have consulted you - if you’re top floor flat, presumably there’s absolutely loads of neighbours in the vicinity.

If it’s on your property you’re responsible for the tree and any issues it might have. As PP have said it’s bloody expensive to chop down trees so it’s unlikely it was done for no good reason, even if you think they looked healthy.

Trees with a TPO are protected, for good reason. But a lot of other trees planted in domestic gardens aren’t necessarily suitable and do need to be removed- not every tree can be a 400 year old oak.

SoupDragon · 30/08/2021 12:52

The idea that people living in nearby houses seem to have been consulted, but those in flats havent is the offensive thing I think?

Why do you think they were consulted?

Bluntness100 · 30/08/2021 12:53

@ElberethGilthoniel

Well. The tree is nowhere near their actual property. It's at the far end of their garden, again about 40 meters away from the back porch. The idea that people living in nearby houses seem to have been consulted, but those in flats havent is the offensive thing I think?
They don’t need to consult anyone op. Just like they don’t need to consult on the colour of their wallpaper if someone can see in. You really can’t be serious on your suggestion.
Original poster
ElberethGilthoniel · 30/08/2021 12:54

Of course the person who owns the house could have final say, but some consultation would have been a lot more friendly and foster a better community around about

OP posts:
anniegun · 30/08/2021 12:55

Ask the council to put TPO's on any trees you would want to keep. Most councils will preserve mature trees unless they are badly diseased or dangerous

NoSquirrels · 30/08/2021 12:55

@ElberethGilthoniel

Well. The tree is nowhere near their actual property. It's at the far end of their garden, again about 40 meters away from the back porch. The idea that people living in nearby houses seem to have been consulted, but those in flats havent is the offensive thing I think?
If they’d ‘consulted’ you what would that have been like?

We’re thinking of removing this tree because [ insert X reason].

Oh, please don’t I like it.

Right then.

Repeat conversation with every neighbour, only acts if there’s consensus?

Bluntness100 · 30/08/2021 12:55

Op. Aibu
Mn, yes hugely
Op. No I’m not.

Elma2021 · 30/08/2021 12:55

I think there is a general sense on this thread that just because OP lives in a flat rather than a house that they are somehow less entitled to have a say about their surroundings. By living in a flat OP is living in a way that is far more sustainable and frankly also the only option for many people. This idea that he should like it or lump it if he doesn't own the land seems very elitist. I think it is disgracefull
that people can cordon off sections of our country just because they money and then do whatever they like with regardless of the environmental or social impacts it may have.

SoupDragon · 30/08/2021 12:55

They might regret it if they can now see an ugly block of flats mind you.

heldinadream · 30/08/2021 12:56

I bloody adore trees but this is bonkers.

What if I buy a car in a colour some people might object to, have I got to consult all of my neighbours first?
Think about it! This is an insane level of thinking you have any control over what other people do OP!

SoupDragon · 30/08/2021 12:56

I think there is a general sense on this thread that just because OP lives in a flat rather than a house that they are somehow less entitled to have a say about their surroundings.

No there isn't 😂😂 there is a general sense that because she doesn't live in the house that owns the tree she has no say in it.

Bluntness100 · 30/08/2021 12:56

@Elma2021

I think there is a general sense on this thread that just because OP lives in a flat rather than a house that they are somehow less entitled to have a say about their surroundings. By living in a flat OP is living in a way that is far more sustainable and frankly also the only option for many people. This idea that he should like it or lump it if he doesn't own the land seems very elitist. I think it is disgracefull that people can cordon off sections of our country just because they money and then do whatever they like with regardless of the environmental or social impacts it may have.
I think you have read that totally wrong it’s nothing to do with her being in a flat, it would be the same if she was the house next door
WorraLiberty · 30/08/2021 12:57

@ElberethGilthoniel

I'm not really asking about the local authority rules on this, more just the morality of the issue or if it was the polite thing to do?

The trees seemed pretty healthy, plenty of leaves and everything. I assume it was a light issue for other neighbors

Right so you politely ask your neighbours if you can cut your own trees and they say no.

What then? Obviously you just crack on and do it so what's the point?

And how far out would the 'consultation' need to go? Same street? All surrounding houses in surrounding streets?

What if some say yes and some say no?

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 30/08/2021 12:58

The tree that suddenly fell (no winds) on my children's swings a few years ago looked healthy with green leaves. In fact it had been invested on the inside with an ants nest....

If it was a large tree it could have been some of your neighbours complaining leading to the felling...

Fairyliz · 30/08/2021 12:58

What would be a lovely view for you on the third floor was probably a dark depressing nightmare for someone on the ground floor.

Our neighbours chopped down a huge tree bordering our property and we whooped with delight. We got loads more light in our dark kitchen.
I think the lack of light in the U.K. can make everything feel depressing.

Whywhenwhat · 30/08/2021 12:58

Has the entire neighbourhood being paying to have the trees pruned etc to stop them becoming to heavy/dangerous? Or do you want a say with no additional costs?

WorraLiberty · 30/08/2021 12:58

@ElberethGilthoniel

Of course the person who owns the house could have final say, but some consultation would have been a lot more friendly and foster a better community around about
It would be fake as fuck though!

No-one in their right minds is going to let neighbours in surrounding streets tell them what to do with their own trees.

SlatternIsMyMiddleName · 30/08/2021 13:00

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

I’m off to tell my neighbor I don’t like the colour of her garage door. She should have consulted with me before she changed it.