Or is my neighbour?

[Barbiepink]

While I was at work today I asked my dad if he would be able to come round and trim the ivy/weeds that are growing in our back garden.
He said he would.

I went to work, my dad messages me and tells me he’s done it.

I got home and went into the garden to check out the work.
My next door neighbour came out and told me in no uncertain terms that my dad had cut ivy from their side of the fence as well and he’d pulled it out by the roots.
She said she’d spent 20 years growing it in the way she wanted it to be.
Her husband said she’s been crying all afternoon.

I said I was so sorry and it wasn’t my intention, it was my fault for not communicating what I wanted correctly to my dad. I just wanted the weeds pulled out and the ivy trimmed back as it was starting to grow up through the paving slabs.

Anyway, they were very upset and on the war path.

I went out and bought her some flowers to say sorry and she nearly didn’t accept them, then did, even though she said she was still so upset she couldn’t talk about it.

I hate confrontation and I feel really uneasy tonight now. I’m not sure what to do for the best.

[Pr1mr0se]

Your neighbours could take you to court for damages but they'd have to have some proof of what has been done - photos before and after. They would of course be very disagreeable types to do this but if she was unwilling to accept apologies and your flowers you may not have heard the last of it.

[ImAvingOops]

The neibour would have to prove you'd actually cut it on their side. Legally you can cut anything growing on your side, even if the roots were in their garden, if it dangled in your 'airspace' you could chop it off!

[LeilaRose777]

Legally afaik, you can only cut to your own boundary if something is growing over, and you must return the clippings to the owner of the tree/plant. Regardless of how quickly/slowly a plant grows, if your Dad pulled it out by the roots which were in your neighbrous property, that is wrong in law. He was also wrong if he leaned into their property to cut something on that side. There is tons of case law about this.

[ImAvingOops]

How would you prove he'd pulled it out by the roots on their side though?

[ImAvingOops]

And if the deeds indicate the fence is jointly owned doesn't IP have equal say - the roots would presumably be as much hers as the neighbours?

Im about the take down my fence which ivy has been growing through from my neighbours side - the gardener I had here yesterday who was trimming the leyllandii (sp?) thanks previous house owner for these says it will be virtually impossible to kill, but I'm going to give it a good go anyway.
Better to ask for forgiveness than permission imo!

[Reigateforever]

Maybe you have taken photos of your garden in the last four years that would clear up some of the problem to compare.

[Pinkfluff76]

Ivy is vicious and grows like a weed. Do not buy her a new one. We had some in our garden that damaged a concrete fence post! The roots are very hard like wood so it doesn’t seem possible that your dad could’ve accidentally pulled up roots from their side. Believe me I’ve had to try and get rid of Ivy and it’s not easy. Sounds like she’s grossly exaggerating!

[Treesandsheepeverywhere]

I'm thinking the husband hates the ivy, saw your dad trimming it and damaged it once your dad left and blamed him to his wife. Stop buying more stuff for them, your apology was enough.

[Treesandsheepeverywhere]

On a separate note, we have ivy in window boxes which we were fully expecting to be trimming so it doesn't hang over the neighbour downstairs, but it has barely grown in 2 years.

[girlmom21]

@ImAvingOops

How would you prove he'd pulled it out by the roots on their side though?

The massive empty hole in the ground

[ImAvingOops]

That doesn't prove he pulled from their side though. If they've allowed their plant to spread then of course, in removing it from OPs side, that will impact on the neighbours' side too because the plant has no respect for borders. It's not like he stood in their garden and pulled it up.
I'd he really surprised if he could get up a 20 year old ivy root. I think he's just cut from OPs side and pulled, but because the neighbours have let it spread and wind in and out of the fence, that cutting on her side has made their side die.
Which is the risk you take if you let your plant weed invade someone else's garden!

[Dancingintherain1234]

YANBU - the ivy was potentially damaging your property. She is probably just put out that she didn't know your Dad would be tidying it up so is now trying to prove a point by saying it's been ruined. Agree that she is making a mountain out of a molehill. Maybe next time raise with her first that her plants are making your garden untidy and that you intend to do some general maintenance to tidy things up your side.

[Bumblebee79]

We had to use a tractor to pull the ivy off the front of our house before we could renovate.. your Dad must be strong 😂