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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:
TicTacHoh · 01/03/2022 16:00

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.

Maybe they're just the type that don't want their neighbours huge overgrown tree hanging into their garden? It's clear OP would likely not have been amenable to having it cut, this is why people don't ask.

purplecorkheart · 01/03/2022 16:01

Given the position of the tree even if they did warn you and you got someone in to do it the tree would still look lopsided. You must have known that the tree was hanging in their garden and that there was always a chance that it would be cut.

BitOutOfPractice · 01/03/2022 16:01

And I agree, just because you're entitled to do something, doesn't mean you should.

minipie · 01/03/2022 16:02

Maybe they are about to put a shed there? Or it blocks the afternoon sun? Or the leaves are covering up their prized begonias?

Could be any number of reasons why they didn’t want it overhanging. Doesn’t make them idiots.

godmum56 · 01/03/2022 16:03

i love trees and have several but I don't let them encroach on my neighbours' gardens. yes it would maybe have been better for you if they had told you but maybe their experience was that if they did this then the neighbour had been arsey anyway and it had caused more trouble? after that has happened a few times (and it has to me) you tend to just go bugger this I am going to get trouble anyway, I'll just do it....which is a shame but understandable.

Rosehugger · 01/03/2022 16:04

@BitOutOfPractice

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.

Yes, quite. Probably the sort of people who want anything remotely natural, good for the environment or encouraging of wildlife removed from their garden.
rogueone · 01/03/2022 16:04

This happened to me and we live in area where you need a licence to cut trees. We live in a preservation areas and TPO needed for certain trees.

New neighbours who back onto our garden hadnt realised and hacked it back. I spoke to them and told them they had to be careful going forward as the estate who issues the licence for tree works can fine them. We agreed going forward for them to speak to me and if required i can get a tree surgeon round. Hacking your tree like that is really crap, they should have spoken to you and you could have organised it to be cut properly and shaped.

Sockpile · 01/03/2022 16:05

My neighbours cut back some of my birch tree and it looks ridiculous. It’s in a conservation area so they really should have sought permission from the council. They also cut back some trees that over hang another part of their garden and they too look silly. They really don’t like trees!

UKRAINEwearewithyou · 01/03/2022 16:07

There are very large conifers, planted by neighbour on the boundary line. We put our fence slightly forward of the boundary and then they planted some conifers on the boundary. We have repeatedly asked them to cut back a bit. They removed some lower branches and now it's really big and growing rapidly.

I will now have to apply for a planning order to get them cut. They have ignored all nice and reasonable requests to cut to 2 m max.

i wish I'd done what your neighbour has done to your tree @Auntieobem and I wouldn't now be stuck with huge conifers blocking the light. Your neighbour probably thought it was the best thing to do since you didn't address the issue of overgrowth.

BitOutOfPractice · 01/03/2022 16:08

It's not "overhanging" as such. That implies its causing a nuisance in their garden / invading their space. They must've had to get a ladder to even get to the lowest branch that even encroached on their air space (there must be a correct term for this but it escapes me!)

I agree OP, it's really upsetting to see, YANBU

BitOutOfPractice · 01/03/2022 16:09

@UKRAINEwearewithyou that's a horrible situation. I hope you can get it sorted. But it's hardly the case here is it?

wheresthejam · 01/03/2022 16:10

@BitOutOfPractice

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.

Yes I’m with you ! They’ve butchered the poor tree and for what ? Pettiness over territory? My neighbour’s large cherry tree overhangs our garden but I’d never dream of cutting it, it looks lovely in the spring-time.
PerseverancePays · 01/03/2022 16:13

You could pollard it. That will keep it contained and it will be a pleasing shape.

fromdownwest · 01/03/2022 16:14

My neighbour has the same tree. Peak summer it takes away half the light from my garden, overhangs and then sheds it leaves for me to pickup.

My greenhouse is now there, so I cut the tree right back, and did not feel the need to consult the owner, as they did not consult me about encrouching into my garden for the past 5 years.

ivykaty44 · 01/03/2022 16:14

my neighbours have a holly tree in the same type of position, the tree is a lovely round shape but obviously is in the air above my garden.

I couldn't cut it back as it would look silly

seems a really odd thing to do but such is life

did you plant the tree op?

BitOutOfPractice · 01/03/2022 16:14

I think @wheresthejam the jam, you may be right. They've cut it because they are entitled to cut it so they've cut it as a point of petty principle, The irony being that they now have to look at not just a tree that doesn't belong to them, but a wonky tree that doesn't belong to them

SoupDragon · 01/03/2022 16:14

Do they have a streetlight in their garden?

CrackersDontMatter · 01/03/2022 16:15

My neighbours' trees encroach 2m into my garden. They have destroyed my shed roof, the trampoline enclosure and my fence. They overhang my washing line so I can't use all of it or the washing gets covered in bird shit. They block the light and every time the neighbours top them , all the off cuts get dropped into my garden. If I had the money I'd absolutely get them cut back, lopsided or not.

UnconditionalSurrender · 01/03/2022 16:16

If they want to cut it back then fine but it would've been the neighbourly thing to tell you first. You might have wanted a tree surgeon in to do the job properly.
Our neighbours and I have loads of trees that go over each others boundaries but we all tell each other first before we prune them back

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 01/03/2022 16:17

@fromdownwest

My neighbour has the same tree. Peak summer it takes away half the light from my garden, overhangs and then sheds it leaves for me to pickup.

My greenhouse is now there, so I cut the tree right back, and did not feel the need to consult the owner, as they did not consult me about encrouching into my garden for the past 5 years.

My neighbour has the same tree. No they don't.
ExcuseeeeMe · 01/03/2022 16:17

Wow I don’t blame them .

Benjispruce5 · 01/03/2022 16:19

I’m with you op , I really dislike tree haters!

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 01/03/2022 16:19

What did you expect if it was overhanging their land? It looks like it was taking up a huge portion of their garden.

How would you have chopped it so it wasn't wonky, out of curiosity?

Doodar · 01/03/2022 16:21

@Choccyp1g

You shouldn't have been storing your tree in their garden.
Grin
Benjispruce5 · 01/03/2022 16:22

It’s the right thing to talk to you about it. I have trees in my garden and neighbours tress that overhang too. It’s what gardens are for. Who wants to look at a bare, orange stained fence panel?

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