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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not remove the tree?

100 replies

CoachBeardsJane · 12/06/2023 15:04

We have a very large Californian Lilac (ceanothus) tree in our garden, it's gorgeous. It's also massive. It does not overhang our neighbours garden because I've had it pruned to not do that.

It's covered in bees, honey bees, miner bees, bumble bees etc. it's currently got 100s of bees a day on it. Each blossom probably has 2/3 bees at one time on it. It is literally crawling in bees and butterflies.

It is next to the access path our other neighbour uses to bring his bin through. He's asked us to chop down the tree because of the amount of bees that's on it during the day..

I will say his bin is in the communal bin area and he just uses the access path to take his rubbish to the bin.

The tree doesn't overhang the access path, but when you walk past it you can see and hear a lot of bees.

I've had a bee keeper round and there is no nest, or hive in the tree. it is just a very nice plant for bees and they love it, at night time they all go home and then they come back during the day.

There is currently 2 birds nests in the tree one I think is a robin and the other one is a tree creeper. So the tree isn't being pruned or removed at all until September minimum.

They're not angry or swarming, it's just very big and the bees love it.

Would you get rid of it?

Right now there are probably 200 bees on it

To not remove the tree?
To not remove the tree?
To not remove the tree?
OP posts:
BeautifulBirds · 12/06/2023 15:05

The tree stays!!

No way would I cut it down

DisforDarkChocolate · 12/06/2023 15:05

I'd have laughed at him but then I'm getting very tetchy in my middle age.

What is he doing to make him more alluring than the lilac? I doubt it's possible.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 12/06/2023 15:06

Of course not. The bees and birds need all the help they can get.

Your neighbour sounds like a complete tit.

FoodInthe90s · 12/06/2023 15:06

Absolutely not. It's so important to help nature and the bees aren't aggressive.

Mommyofvikings · 12/06/2023 15:06

Keep it!

ilovelamp82 · 12/06/2023 15:06

Of course not

Original poster
CoachBeardsJane · 12/06/2023 15:08

DisforDarkChocolate · 12/06/2023 15:05

I'd have laughed at him but then I'm getting very tetchy in my middle age.

What is he doing to make him more alluring than the lilac? I doubt it's possible.

I did laugh at him 😂 I just wanted to check I wasn't being unreasonable to tell him to go away

OP posts:
SBAM · 12/06/2023 15:08

He wants you to cut down a tree because there are bees on flowers?
Does he also object to fish swimming in rivers and rabbits living in the woods?

Ignore him, you’re lucky to have such a beautiful tree.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 12/06/2023 15:11

Well presumably the bees aren’t there all year round.

what a twat he is.

Curseofthenation · 12/06/2023 15:11

What a ridiculous man.

fishonabicycle · 12/06/2023 15:12

Obviously he is an idiot.

WickedSerious · 12/06/2023 15:12

Keep it and get rid of the neighbour.

LumpyPumpkin · 12/06/2023 15:13

Absolutely do not get rid of the tree. It's beautiful and bees are so important.

Bonbon21 · 12/06/2023 15:14

It is only in flower for a short time.
He can take his rubbish out at night for those few weeks!
Twat.

Sunshineboo · 12/06/2023 15:15

bet he will come back with i am highly allergic

billy1966 · 12/06/2023 15:17

DisforDarkChocolate · 12/06/2023 15:05

I'd have laughed at him but then I'm getting very tetchy in my middle age.

What is he doing to make him more alluring than the lilac? I doubt it's possible.

This.

Be careful about indulging him with even politely listening.....it makes arseholes even more entitled IMO.

Gorgeous tree

theemmadilemma · 12/06/2023 15:17

Nope. Just no.

It's not on his land, it's not impeding him.

GeekyThings · 12/06/2023 15:21

I'm undecided, although not about keeping the tree - obviously it's just crazy to cut it down completely!

But you say in your OP that it doesn't overhang your neighbours garden, but this is another neighbour, so not sure why that's even relevant. Then you say it doesn't overhang the access path, which has presumably been built for access to an area owned by the residents, but it's where the bins are kept - I'm not sure how much you know about bees, but they LOVE bins. Especially in the heat when they get very smelly! And that can then lead to issues for the neighbour who has to use that area with the bins in it.

So, it's not really about how many bees are hanging around the tree, or the path, it's about how many of those tree bees who are also hanging out in the bins - how many are there?

Tarttlet · 12/06/2023 15:23

You couldn't remove the tree at the moment even if you wanted to - from the RSPB: "It is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built, or to intentionally kill, injure or take chicks or adults, or intentionally take or destroy any eggs (with some exceptions)."

Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 - The RSPB

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is the primary legislation which protects animals, plants, and certain habitats in the UK. Find out more

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wildlife-and-the-law/wildlife-and-countryside-act/

barnefri · 12/06/2023 15:23

The tree should stay, absolutely no question about it.

The bees are not a threat to your neighbour. The bees are minding their own business, and your neighbour should mind his.

GeekyThings · 12/06/2023 15:24

In fact, just rereading that it's occurred to me - you've said that it doesn't overhang random neighbours garden who is entirely unrelated to this story; and the access path of the neighbour who is related to this story; but not the address with the bins in it. Does it overhang the bin area? Because that would be more of a problem than the access path I think.

GasPanic · 12/06/2023 15:24

I have one of these and yes it gets lots of bees/wasps.

I can imagine if you were having to walk in close proximity to one on a regular basis and you were allergic to bee stings then it wouldn't be the most pleasant experience.

He's allowed to chop it back on his land though, maybe if there was a 6ft fence between it and the path I would say no, and maybe allow him to cut it back a bit more on his side. I have a neighbour who also has a lot of bee trees against my access path, but its fine because the 6ft fence screens them off.

If there is no barrier between it and the path then I would probably cut it and replant one where it was not close to where people were passing regularly.

This is the problem with trees, they are lovely, but people plant them in all sorts of stupid places where they can cause issues.

GoodChat · 12/06/2023 15:26

GasPanic · 12/06/2023 15:24

I have one of these and yes it gets lots of bees/wasps.

I can imagine if you were having to walk in close proximity to one on a regular basis and you were allergic to bee stings then it wouldn't be the most pleasant experience.

He's allowed to chop it back on his land though, maybe if there was a 6ft fence between it and the path I would say no, and maybe allow him to cut it back a bit more on his side. I have a neighbour who also has a lot of bee trees against my access path, but its fine because the 6ft fence screens them off.

If there is no barrier between it and the path then I would probably cut it and replant one where it was not close to where people were passing regularly.

This is the problem with trees, they are lovely, but people plant them in all sorts of stupid places where they can cause issues.

Its not his land and it doesn't overhang

2bazookas · 12/06/2023 15:28

I would not get rid of the ceanothus, but I'd ask the neighbour if he has a medical reason to be anxious about bees. One of my sons is very allergic to bee stings.

If so, I'd offer to fetch his rubbish bin during the flowering season.

MintJulia · 12/06/2023 15:28

Don't cut it back.

Is he an idiot? Does he not understand the crisis we have with lack of pollinating insects?

The bees won't hurt him unless he meddles with them, and even then not likely.