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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

They've cut our tree!

291 replies

Auntieobem · 01/03/2022 15:03

We have a twisty willow at the bottom of the garden. I love it. Had it topped a couple of years ago - cost £££ but looking good. It overhang/ overhung next doors garden. Neighbours moved in a while ago - we've only spoken briefly but all pleasant enough.

I've just noticed that half the tree has been cut off. Tree looks ridiculously lop sided. Why onearth didn't they speak to us? I know they have a right to cut off anything which overhangs, but who not just warn us?? I feel really sad. Poor bloody tree!! Don't know when it was done, I've been working from home and never saw anything? They must have waited until we were all out? Aibu for being a bit annoyed?

OP posts:
Zingy123 · 01/03/2022 15:36

It should never have been allowed to overhang their garden in the first place. I don't blame them for cutting it.

KindlyKanga · 01/03/2022 15:37

No one could have chopped that so it didn't look lopsided. Chop the other side off unless that's in your other neighbours garden. I think you maybe need to replace the tree with a much smaller non overhanging one

LeapYrBaby · 01/03/2022 15:37

[quote Auntieobem]@xxxsuper - we would have had someone do it properly so the tree didn't look so daft![/quote]
@Auntieobem my parents neighbour did the same, wankers.

Bootikin · 01/03/2022 15:42

It looks awful after it’s been cut - but it was planted much too close to the fence in the first place. You must know that they were within their rights to cut it back as a lot of the canopy was over their property line.

Anjo2011 · 01/03/2022 15:42

I’m in agreement with most. It needs to be maintained, just because you like it doesn’t mean your neighbours do. It looks like it would have been over their side quite a way too.

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 01/03/2022 15:46

Willows grow into all sorts of funky shapes in the wild, this doesn't look daft, if anything it looks natural.
Get your own tree surgeon in to do some structural pruning.

TheRealHousewife · 01/03/2022 15:47

I understand your frustration. Without any prior warning it must have been quite a shock and upsetting.

Similar happened to me. My neighbour accessed our property whilst we were out and cut all the lead branches of our 6ft dwarf cherry tree. Totally wrecked it aesthetically and its canopy shape is ruined and cant grow back (like cutting a limb really). The trees nearest point is at least 15 foot away from any boundary so not even in the slightest was it overhanging, causing shade or loss of light. They did it purely to prevent/reduce any leaves and petals that dared to blow over. Never discussed it with them as we didn't notice straight away. Started locking our gate which the neighbour kept pestering as to why although I wasn't brave enough to say. Hasten to add she knows I'm of a nervous disposition and she was purely pushing my buttons and was looking for a reaction which she didn't get.

However, in your instance the neighbours are entitled to cut whatever overhangs the boundary. Nonetheless I would have still chatted to you before I cut anything (although if I was your neighbour id have left it as I like trees and the wildlife that goes with it).

Perhaps have the tree surgeon to see if he can make it more pleasant shape, although i cant see how tbh.

50DaysAF · 01/03/2022 15:47

I voted YABU and then I saw the photo. Yeah it looks pretty bad.

Jvg33 · 01/03/2022 15:48

Um, your not supposed to plant a tree that close to the border fences. They could look up the legality and ask you to remove said tree. If it were the other way around I would do the same thing. O don't want a tree overhanging into my garden.

MrsTerryPratchett · 01/03/2022 15:49

@50DaysAF

I voted YABU and then I saw the photo. Yeah it looks pretty bad.
It looks pretty bad because half the tree was overhanging. Poor placement.
Bitconfusedhmm · 01/03/2022 15:50

Ooft idve cut that tree too Grin

Rosehugger · 01/03/2022 15:50

Don't worry, it's a willow and will grow back abundantly.

minipie · 01/03/2022 15:50

[quote Auntieobem]@xxxsuper - we would have had someone do it properly so the tree didn't look so daft![/quote]
I presume you would have cut less off though. They clearly wanted the maximum gone up to their boundary, which they are entitled to do.

Whammyyammy · 01/03/2022 15:50

At our old house when we built an extension, the builders cut up and removed some big tree roots from the neighbours tree thar were in our garden. They tried legal action, but in the end were advised to drop it.

donquixotedelamancha · 01/03/2022 15:51

I’d be going round and calmly (as you can be) and have a serious word! Dicks.

How are they dicks? If OP doesn't want the tree to look lopsided then it needs to be pruned regularly so that it doesn't encroach on the neighbours.

Why onearth didn't they speak to us?

They've done exactly what they are entitled to. I'd have had a chat first but a lot of people are reluctant to do so because some neighbours who don't maintain their trees are arseholes when asked to do something about it.

I feel really sad. Poor bloody tree!!

YABU. Just cut the rest of the tree back, they've saved you half a job.

thesearetherichesofthepoor · 01/03/2022 15:51

@Choccyp1g

You shouldn't have been storing your tree in their garden.
🤣🤣🤣 this comment made me properly howl
Housinghelp321 · 01/03/2022 15:54

Looks fine to me. YABU.

TheNoodlesIncident · 01/03/2022 15:54

You could cut back that bare branch to the trunk, as new stems will grow from that and you will be back to square one. It's not the most spreading tree you could have, but they clearly didn't want it overhanging and have the right to trim it back.

It's been planted in a really unsuitable place, right in the corner where its growth will impact two neighbours rather than just you. Why do people plant trees right on boundaries, where this kind of disharmony is likely? You could plant a smaller tree away from the edge of your garden and save all this ill-feeling!

LizzieMacQueen · 01/03/2022 15:55

Those look like new houses so does the tree pre date them?

TicTacHoh · 01/03/2022 15:56

I know they have a right to cut off anything which overhangs, but who not just warn us??

What would you have said if they warned you? As essentially warning you does not make any difference

GrolliffetheDragon · 01/03/2022 15:58

I think the neighbours were BU, but then I like trees and would love one in my garden, but make do with the neighbours one that, yes, overhangs my garden. I love to sit under it in the summer.

101jobs · 01/03/2022 15:58

I am totally in agreement with your neighbours on this

PoshPyjamas · 01/03/2022 15:58

They are the type that think that because they have the right to cut the tree back then they should. They probably are the types who feel quite powerless in their lives and so they take some kind of satisfaction in this kind of idiot behaviour, will have made them feel quite pleased with themselves.

BitOutOfPractice · 01/03/2022 15:59

I am no gardener so this may be a stupid question, but why would they be so upset about having the tree slightly encroaching on the air above their garden? It's hardly overhanging as such is it? It's hardly an eyesore either! And they can't be that worried about shade because they have other trees in their garden. It looks like it's nowhere hear their house so no problems with roots.

So, genuine question, why were they so pissed off with the tree which looked lovely.

oakleaffy · 01/03/2022 16:00

[quote Auntieobem]@xxxsuper - we would have had someone do it properly so the tree didn't look so daft![/quote]
That is sheer arseholery.
I bet they are going to put a trampoline under it or something like that.