Neighbour has cut my tree...a lot!

[NeighbourCutMyTree]

How much is usual? I know they can trim overhanging branches, they've gone right to the top of the tree. I'll see if I can add a photo.

A question to the OP and the other posters who think they have the right to have trees overhanging their neighbours. Why do you think you have the right to do this? It baffles me to be honest.

Trees on boundaries are a nuisance. Yes trees are lovely and important - all those who love trees feel free to go ahead and plant them in the middle of your lawn. Oh hang on, I'd guess you don't want to do that because it interrupts your enjoyment of your garden, and potentially casts shade over areas of your garden you'd like in sun? Well that's what boundary trees do to neighbours gardens. It's funny how people are never bothered about chopping down a tree that's casting shade in their own garden, but they 'love' the tree that's leaving the neighbours completely in shade!

Perhaps they don't think they have the right, but they expect people to have a conversation with them about it first, to see if there's a mutually satisfying solution?

Completely fine, looks far too big and was encroaching on their side. Fine if you live in large gardens but if not, large trees like that are super annoying to be dumped with by ND s particularly if they block light

All my trees have TPOs my neighbours cant touch them!

Well I inherited a garden with very old trees, some of which were planted along the border maybe 50 or 100 years ago so I didn't have a bloody say at the time, did I? And I certainly wouldn't move into a new house and remove all trees working 4 ft of every border to ensure neighbourly relations.

I would be laughing at them now, you have nice, natural shade in your garden but they don't. I really don't understand the hatred for garden trees, they filter noise, pollution, neighbour's windows and provide shade. Your neighbour was entitled to take anything overhanging his fence, as long as there wasn't a tpo. It doesn't look like the sort of tree that would be protected, unless the area is generally under protection.

Didn’t they discuss their plans first OP? Of course they are entitled to trim over hanging branches, but that is quite a brutal job, I can see why you are upset.

You should maintain your tree properly so it doesn’t overhang. Our neighbours can’t be bothered to and don’t do anything unless it impacts them so we have to maintain our side. It’s really selfish.

Technically a tree near the boundary line whose branches overhang (or roots encroach) someone else's property is trespassing. The neighbour can cut all overhanging branches, no matter how high up. The only thing they are liable for is if this accidentally kills the tree.

If you want your trees intact, plant a replacement far away from the boundary.

This wouldn’t bother me. Our house has some well established trees on the boundary, and when we bought we reduced the height a little. Poor neighbours behind got no sun in their gardens because of these trees.

Think yourself lucky they didn't throw all the branches back into your garden for you to dispose of.

Totally agree, I don’t get all this “I’d be so upset, I love trees, they should have spoken to you” stuff. If you love trees and have one like this then maintain it properly. Lack of maintenance allows it to over hang like this and neighbours eventually forced to act. If you love it maintain it. If you fail to do so it’s your fault and no one else’s if your neighbours need to act.

Exactly. I love trees, I live in a forest, but that tree was in the wrong place and was on a boundary of a suburban property

Would've cost a bit to have that done. Looks better on your side than there's. Don't think there's much you can do OP. At least they didn't ask you for cost towards it.They mightve asked you ask if you can cut the overhang from your garden if its causing shade in their garden and then you would've had to foot the bill.
It'll grow back quicker than you think and they won't want to be paying again to have that done in a hurry. Doesn't look as though the tree surgeon has cut it in a way so that it will look good, just hacked at it. Its done now. Let it go, really not worth holding a grudge (not saying you are ). Not worth falling out with neighbours over.

Talking about it first would have been better imo - but ouch that looks bad. I think they can do this (as long as they give you the trimmings back) but I don't necessarily think they should have done this iyswim.

Always makes me laugh when someone complains about someone trimming a tree on their side and moaning about lack of discussion, notice of intended works. That is a BIG tree which would take a bit of work to trim. If YOU had been the nice neighbour then YOU would have realised it was encroaching on your neighbours land and already offered to have it professionally trimmed to BOTH of your requirements.

TBH if it was me it looks like they started to struggle higher up. I would have lopped the last 6ft off.

My guess is you have other trees in that garden. Maybe go and look at them all as if you were a neighbour who hates trees. Consider IF it would be good to get in first and pay someone to trim them all before other neighbours deem it a good idea to trim them.

Is there a reason you had not reduced the height? It can be tidied up your side to look less lopsided.

It looks awful, it is heavier your side now so hopefully any high winds and storms wont break it so it falls into their garden.

@Hotenoughtoburnasausage

Stupid stupid woman. I'll be very interested to see what council planning says!! Will check back later hoping you've updated!

@NeighbourCutMyTree stupid neighbours you have too. It's possibly dangerous now, so you'll be needing to get a specialist in. Had they asked you to get it trimmed??

I am aghast at this, We have many large trees, a couple of which overhang a neighbour's garden. We offer at intervals to cut for her and she lets us know when she wants it done, then DH spends half a day doing it. There needs to be a dialogue about it between you

I think they can. The council sprayed my neighbours conifers as they were blocking a road sign All the trees on that side died. But they were substantially over hanging onto council land. They should have offered you the cuttings though. Only a qualified arboriculturist can tell you if the tree is damaged though in which case you may have a claim against them

Ideally they should discuss it with you in advance, they don't sound like thoughtful neighbours. By law they should offer you the trimmings back - but this law was made for things like apple trees etc that might have fruit on the branches or valuable timber. You don't have to accept the trimmings. They are perfectly entitled to cut anything that goes over their boundary, but not to cut anything on your side of the fence.

My neighbour had a beautiful holm oak. It's a lovely tree, but too close to the boundary and too big for our small gardens. They have it regularly cut severely back, but it still overhangs some of the time because it grows back very quickly. I am a gardener. My garden is choc full of plants, it has loads of wildlife and very healthy soil. Not wanting my neighbours tree to interfere with what I want to grow in my own garden doesn't make me some kind of plastic grass heathen. Trees are important, but that still does not mean that neighbours have the right to encroach on others.

I assume that the OP also goes around to the neighbours house and cleans up the fallen leaves each year?