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

[ElberethGilthoniel]

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?

@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

Would it?

Consult your neighbours but go ahead anyway is not likely to foster good relations. More likely cause issues.

How would you have felt if they asked you and they went ahead anyway?

Were you paying for the upkeep/ongoing maintenance of the tree? If not then you don't get a say.

It could be just as easily argued that it's entitled to think just because you have a mortgage on a piece of land that the tree happens to be growing out of, you have a right to disrupt other people's enjoyment of it without consulting them

I own the huge beech tree at the end of my garden outright. Do I still need to consult everyone who can see it? It's on a hill and can probably be seen for some distance.

Would be happy to share the cost of restorative work for any damage those trees caused to their homes? Come out twice a week and help gather and dispose of leaves from September to November?

Didn’t think so.

YABVVVU I have got trees in my garden which i love. Some have TPO's some do not and I care for them all the same. I have been in a situation where I have asked for permission to cut back a healthy protected tree (branches bashing on my bedroom window) and the inspector came to look and said that sadly the tree had outgrown its space and he would suggest (and permit) removal not reduction. More recently I applied for reshaping of trees that were leaning right over into my neighbour's garden and would trash their fence, shed and conservatory if one fell. All I wanted was proof that I had asked so that my 3rd party house insurance would cover any damage if one did fall. Again the inspector (different one) said that thery were not suitable for where they were growing and should be removed but I must replace with more suitable native species. None of the trees in my garden (or surrounding gardens) were planted on purpose, they were chance come trees on the land when the houses were built. Our local council automatically put TPO's on all trees when land is to be built on, then they permit trimming/felling on a case by case basis......
Long post I know, my point is that when you own trees, its not like a pot of daffodils. Its not always right to "just leave them" and its often not evident why a decision has been made/allowed.

No

Op that is just not sensible.

"It could be just as easily argued that it's entitled to think just because you have a mortgage on a piece of land that the tree happens to be growing out of, you have a right to disrupt other people's enjoyment of it without consulting them"

No it couldn't.

Whoever owns the land is responsible for the upkeep and to ensure they are safe. Why should they pay but have to get others who don't pay permission to fell?

@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

what actual planet do you live on?

Actually yanbu.
There seems to be an awful lot of trees and hedge cutting during nesting season lately. Often by the "garden landscaping" companies that provide decking and plastic grass.

@234Pepperplant

No. Some trees have a tree protection order which prevents them being cut down. Fair enough. I think more should be done to encourage tree growing in appropriate locations, and possibly more trees should have a TPO.

But no I don’t think you should be able to hold your neighbours hostage/force your neighbours to have trees (which were potentially cut down due to disease, causing damage, extreme shadowing etc) just so you in your third floor flat can pretend you live in a treehouse. Even planning permission doesn’t require all your neighbours to agree, it just gives them the right to comment. “Loss of a view” is not normally considered a material issue for planning. And presumably you have gained light so again it wouldn’t be considered a material complaint for planners.

it doesn't prevent them being cut down, it requires permsiion to do so.

@megletthesecond

Actually yanbu. There seems to be an awful lot of trees and hedge cutting during nesting season lately. Often by the "garden landscaping" companies that provide decking and plastic grass.

But nesting season has nothing to do with what the OP is complaining about.

OP, your neighbors owned that tree. They have paid for their property, which of course includes the garden. If you wish to purchase the property surrounding your flat you are free to do that and preserve any remaining trees. I’m sure if you offer enough money your neighbors would sell it to you and you can do what you like with it.

The trees seemed pretty healthy, plenty of leaves and everything.

What sort of trees are they, OP?

You haven't got a clue, have you?

IME, the people with the strongest views about tree-feeling and maintenance tend to be townies and indoor types who wouldn't know a copper beech from a weeping willow.

Even a tree with 'plenty of leaves and everything' can be diseased and dangerous. If you want to open a tree sanctuary, you'd better start saving to buy your own.

@Bluntness100

Op if it helps, your wording “just because you have a mortgage on a piece of land that the tree happens to be growing out of, you have a right to disrupt other people's enjoyment of it without consulting them”

Indicates you don’t understand mortgages.

A mortgage is a loan
The lender takes a charge over the property as security.
So if you fail to pay they can legally force a sale and recoup their money
The lender doesn’t own the property.
The borrower does.
They own the land, the buildings and everything on it. Including the trees.
They are legally responsible as the owners.

So basically what you’ve just written is just because you own a tree doesn’t mean you’ve the right to disrupt others enjoyment without consulting them

And it does mean that, it means exactly that, they have full legal rights. They are the owner. Your enjoyment of their property is irrelevant.

This. It’s totally irrelevant but how do you even know they have a mortgage? Would it make a difference if the property was purchased outright? If you disagree with the whole system of property ownership in the modern world I would expect you to be living in the woods somewhere, not a flat with multiple neighbors close by.

Check your councils planning applications they usually apply there just because you didn't know personally doesn't mean they didn't get permission

Is this serious?!

If you don't own the land, it's absolutely nothing to do with you.

It was a linden tree.

In my experience, people who use the word townie in that context are awful to the manor born types who know everything about ownership and nothing about responsibility

@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

I actually think that consultation would not foster a better community in this case. Clearly, if you'd been asked, you would have refused permission/agreement to the trees coming down. If they had then been taken down anyway you'd be even more irate then you are now. Having to consult other people about what you do in your own garden is inherently divisive because it splits the whole neighbourhood into a 'for' or 'against' camp and there will always be aggrieved losers whatever happens. If people accept that they have no control over other people's gardens then there will be a bit of grumbling that will soon be forgotten.

Well it’s ok for you as you’re in a third floor flat, but what about all those who aren’t and can’t get any light into their flat. You may live in a treehouse, but they’re in a dingy room.

No. None of your business. Mind your own.

@SpeakingFranglais

Would be happy to share the cost of restorative work for any damage those trees caused to their homes? Come out twice a week and help gather and dispose of leaves from September to November?

Didn’t think so.

No, busybodies only like to tell people what to do. They’re all about rights, not responsibilities.

@ElberethGilthoniel

It was a linden tree.

In my experience, people who use the word townie in that context are awful to the manor born types who know everything about ownership and nothing about responsibility

Who has the responsibility of the tree falls down and damaged property and/or injures someone?

@SpeakingFranglais

Would be happy to share the cost of restorative work for any damage those trees caused to their homes? Come out twice a week and help gather and dispose of leaves from September to November?

Didn’t think so.

Well. Thanks for the opportunity to respond there 🤷🏻‍♂️ Yeah I'd definitely be happy to do that. Though I doubt it would be twice a week with all the people who want to keep the tree pitching in?

It's not immoral to decide to cut down your own tree on your own property, just as it's not immoral to decide to paint your house pink and purple, if that's what you want to do.

Neighbours may not like it, but that doesn't really matter. Neighbours frequently disagree about things. It's an unfortunate fact of life. If we could only make changes to our property that all the neighbours agreed to, very little would ever get done!

@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

How much of a community are you in right now? Do you even know their names?