neighbour asking me to get my trees lopped

[ladylush]

AIBU in being irked that a neighbour who lives diagonally behind us knocked on my door the other day and asked if we could cut our tree? It is a Sycamore (actually there are two side by side) and it is established. It was here before we bought the house and was pruned back hard (18 months ago). The neighbour complained that she had no sunlight in her garden last summer because of the tree. It is not wide but it is tall (no leaves at the moment so only an issue in summer) - about 18ft. I told her that whilst it may be a nuisance for her, it is a benefit to us because it provides screening (which is great when we want to use our garden). In the winter she can see straight into our house from her bedroom window. I also told her that we would not be paying a tree surgeon to cut it every year. She then offered her to send round her son's friend (a tree surgeon) next week (who would do it as a favour for them) and that we would only have to contribute towards the cost of removing the branches. However, we discussed it and decided that we would prefer to employ a tree surgeon of our own at a time that suits us and that when we do get it cut back, we will not take as much off as she would want. I think if a sunny garden was that important to her she should have bought a house with a large garden with a southerly aspect instead of a west facing 35ft garden.

i'd cut it.

YANBU
I assume she knew the tree was there when she bought the house, as it is an established tree

18ft doesn't sound that tall

YANBU -we've got loads of trees next to our garen and they've only been significantly cut back once in the five years we've been here. We were well aware of their existance when we bought the house.

sounds lovely to have someone to cut it for free

tbh we will probably get it cut either this year or next but if the boot was on the other foot I would not dream of knocking on her door.

I think you're being unreasonable. You could cut it back a bit.

It is a tricky one.
I think it is not unreasonable to be irked, but what you do about it I am not sure. At least she has expressed herself to your face rather than bithc about it to everyone else but never tell you.

Having said that, I am not sure how often you should prune that particular type tree. You should check because it would be silly to do it too often and harm it.

I think the only compromise would be to get some advice and a quote from a neutral respected tree surgeon, and if it is convenient to you to prune the tree in the early summer, to an amount that suits you and is not detrimental to the tree and then share the cost. Tat might be a compromise.

At the end of the day the tree must have been there when they bought the house, and is not causing actual damage, so I do not think you are obligated to do anything that does not suit yourself really.

Sorry, I'm with your neighbour on this one.

In a similar situation and in the summer the tree casts so much shade we have to have the lights on and they refuse to do more than have it given a small trim, meanwhile our garden is in constant shade and we have to have the flippin lights on during the day all through the summer!

It might sound lovely to have someone cut it for free but we do not know how reputable the guy is, would have little control over how much he took off and furthermore enjoy the screening the tree provides.

I would also rather pay someone myself in thsi situation - pruning has to be done properly, and if I owned the tree, I would rather be totally responsible for pruning it.

You don't have any obligation to cut it back.

However, she is entitled to cut back (without getting your permission) any part of your tree that overhangs her property. In theory she would have to offer whatever has been cut down back to you if you want it (you also don't have to accept them! )

Fatbelly - the tree does not shade their house. I also think she is exaggerating when she says her garden was in complete shade as the tree is not big enough. There are huge trees to either side of her (one a huge walnut which is extending into the opposite garden). There is no party wall/fence between us. Her garden is the one that backs onto ours.

Nappyvalley - yes that is a good idea.

I read that cutting back trees too often can damage them. The neighbour in question said her son cut the branches before (the previous owners allowed him to) and I wouldn't be surprised if this is what led to them suffering rot - though they continue to flourish and bear lovely leaves inspite of it.

YANBU. You need to check with your LA that the tree is not 'protected'. If it is, and you cut it, or even prune it, or allow someone else to do so, YOU 9 not the neighbour!) may be liable for a fine of up to £20,000. If it is protected you need to get a reptuble tree surgeon to advise ( LA will give you a list) - he/she will liase with the LA Tree Officer and between them agree what can be cut.
We have had to do this with two of our trees. One of them is diseased, but we are not allowed to cut it down - have to wait unitl it dies

Oops - I meant her garden is next to the one opposite us.

We have a magnolia in our postage stamp sized front garden. Its getting bigger every year, and last year was the first time I noticed how dark our front room was. In the past its actually provided some privacy and its been great - cos I hate net curtains. So after the last Magnolia bloom, DH 'thinned' it, and it was brilliant.

So, I do understnad when your neighbour complains of it being dark/preventing sun etc. And I do understand your plight about it providing privacy.

I dont think however, there is an argument here to say that 'she knew about the tree when she moved in or bought the house' because she may not have known the consequences at the time. Also, the tree may have grown - trees have a habit of doing that LOL.

I would accommodate her, meet her half way and accept her invitation to use her sons friend, a tree surgeon, and have it thinned and possibly trimmed down a couple of feet. I doubt a couple of feet will make a difference to your privacy (although of course Im not there to see it) - and heck! if we have a summer like last year, rain and sun, it will grow back pretty quick, and you will have won points all round - you have your tree back with a little bit of Gods provision (sun and rain), and she will be satisfied because you have let her trim the tree.

Win win situ me thinks - HTH ?

fair enough ladylush but trees are my bugbear... I'm so tempted to put something to kill it at times, because it's ruining my southfacing garden and kitchen. Some parts of my garden are so dark that nothing will grow.

I always do as requested by neighbours re. pruning

It's not worth getting into a dispute about - neighbours can feel VERY STRONGLY about these things and you never know when you might need a pound of sugar or someone to let you in when you've locked yourself out

It's a good time of year to cut it back and I think it would be a polite and kind thing to do

Fatbelly,I can understand that - especially if your garden is south facing.

Wolfgirl - although it would be cheaper for us to use this guy we would much prefer to get our own work done so that we have optimum control over the work. I also don't want to set a precedent whereby they expect us to get it cut every year. That imo is too frequent and could harm the tree.

MP - I feel VERY STRONGLY about it too

OK. But did you know you can get your own tree lopers. My DH borrowed some from a neighbour and we thinned ours ourselves. It did take near on a weekend, a lot of standing back and surveying, a lot of chatting to neighbours, a lot of retrieving my toddler from neighbours gardens etc... but still, it looked good in the end and saved a few bob.

All the best. x

She lives in the road behind us. I will never need sugar from her or shelter.

Am with Prettybird on this one. If the tree is interfering with her light and therefore impacting on her enjoyment of her garden then she is entitled to cut it back herself. Our neighbours did this last year. It was not a problem as we knew that they are legally entitled to do this.

Wolfgirl - yes we thought about that. I am looking at websites re care of sycamores to see how feasible that is (bit worried cos already rot present).

Thanks for all your comments by the way

Karen, she is not entitled by law as the tree is not near her garden. Our gardens are diagonally opposite - not opposite iyswim.