Neighbour accused me of stealing their tree

[Ahelena79]

So our neighbour has a lovely willow tree. It does slightly overhang our border however I am very happy with that as it provides a lovely bit of shade in that corner of the garden which the kids sit under on hot evenings.

Around 4 summers ago I took several cuttings from this willow tree. I didn’t really think to ask at the time as they were nearly touching the floor of my garden and had no real impact on my neighbours life. Instead of chucking them back over the fence aggressively (which other neighbours have done to me!) I decided to plant them to grow a bit of a willow garden in one corner.

These willows have absolutely taken off. There’s about 6 in total all taken from branch cuttings. They are really tall now and can be seen from over the fence (which is 6 foot!)

My neighbour has recently seen them and is now demanding that his property is returned to him. He says I had no right to cut the willow and that they have always been his property even though I have nurtured them to life in the form of new trees. He says he will be contacting the police and threatening legal action. He told me that the willow is taken from cuttings of a family tree that was in his mothers garden and he considers it family property which he wanted to hand down to his kids but I’ve now stolen that from him?? He is absolutely crazy to be honest and I’ve had no previous dealings with him and I’m glad of that now!

Where do I stand legally on this?

I always thought it was the case that you can cut branches of a neighbours tree which overhang into yours, so long as you don't cut beyond the boundary. If the branches were overhanging I'm not sure what the issue is, surely whether you bin the cuttings or replant is by the by?

Which overhang into your garden*

You cut an overhanging branch, but the law says you must return it. It's not yours. But it's an unusual thing to get worked up about.

I suppose I'm just struggling to imagine how that convo happened/went down.

Anyway, denial, denial, denial in the unlikely event this makes the small claims courts.

your neighbours fucking mental

yes you should have offered him the cuttings back

best fucking thread ever. congrats!

hahahah

Oh apologies @DogInATent is correct.
Cit advice website says:
If your neighbour won’t cut branches hanging over your garden, you’re allowed to chop them off - but only the bits on your side of the boundary. Check if your neighbour will let you throw away the branches - legally they own them.

that is an excellent idea as an offer - he won't like it but he's either batshit or a CF who senses a potential opportunity.

Call the Police. They will probably hand it over to Special Branch

Let him call them. Ask to be there when he does. Fucking loonie

I don't beleaf you said that 🤭

That’s a good suggestion.. I’m sure they will get to the root of it all.

Will-ow you all please stop this?

@007DoubleOSeven @BoopTheFoof @unname

just twigged what you are all up too.

And now I seed @MyrtlethePurpleTurtle wood like to chip in.

Feel free to leaf the conversation.

Feeling a bit syc-a-more?

Making silly jokes is tree-mendous fun

No, no - I’m on Cloud Pine

He’s going to report it to the police?

Has anyone made the “Special Branch” joke yet? If so, I’ll get me coat.

@Changechangychange
Catch up dear, we're rooting for you

I just twigged somebody said it upthread

He sounds rather intense, but if his mother's since died he might not be the strongest mentally he's ever been.

The OP hasn't mentioned anything about the neighbour's mother being dead. Posters are speculating that she's dead/recently died based on the neighbour saying his tree was grown from cuttings from a tree in his mother's garden. Neighbour's mum could still be alive! Or could have died 30 years ago!

As for all the tiered tree puns, I was stumped as to why you've all taken the time to log in just to tell these acorny jokes and I walnut stand for it, because I am not a sap. I think I've gotten to the root of the problem which is that you're obviously all pine-ing after attention and should really just leaf and say "cedar later." But that's oak-ay. Between yew and me, I can sometimes be a real beech (though my bark is worst than my bite). Still, these jokes are really wooden!

I don’t think Special Branch will give a scoobie, they will just pass it back to the ordinary copse.

Eh.... <<shrubs>>

Gardeners are habitual thieves. They can strip a shrub in a National Trust garden quicker than it takes to eat a slice of lemon drizzle in the old stable tearoom.