Husband accidentally killed neighbours tree

[Randomname83738]

my husband was removing some overgrowth on our boundary wall and part of the wall collapsed, killing our neighbours very old quince tree. We get on with these neighbours really well and feel terrible (they’re understandably quite upset).

I want to get them some sort of apology gift but unsure what would be appropriate. The standard would be some sort of hamper but would like to make it more specific to the tree and would appreciate ideas, as we really don’t want to be TAHs for these neighbours…

Quince jam? Too soon?

Wouldn't it be better to just buy them a new mature tree?

Couldn't you just get them another quince tree ?

Rebuild the wall and buy a new tree?

A sapling, so they can replace the tree.

Yes, replace the tree. Why do you think a hamper would be a good substitute?!

We do actually have a mature quince tree in our garden we could give them, we’re rebuilding the wall tomorrow!

the only reasonable offer is to buy a mature tree of their choosing. Do not buy quince jam!

is the tree completely gone? Sometimes you can rescue them but I’m not a gardening expert

You knew what you were doing.

Well that sounds like a good solution

we did immediately offer to give them our quince tree (or buy a new one) but they said their tree had had sentimental value so I wasn’t sure if it felt like a poor substitute and not really recognising that a new tree isn’t the same…

Hamper would be a bit random, fixing the wall and replacing the tree is what theyl want. If you still feel obliged give them a hamper at Christmas.

I read Husband accidentally killed neighbours

Don't get them quince jam!

I would be wary of moving a mature tree; it's generally tricky. Quinces establish fairly fast; I'd offer to buy them a young tree of their choice.

It’s snapped at the base; I don’t know enough about gardening to know if it’s likely to regrow from that 😢

Quince gin

You may just need to let them mourn the tree. Sometimes things can’t be fixed.

You could always get them some mince and a runcible spoon, to eat the quince in the acceptable manner of course.

It might regrow; part the problem will be whether it's snapped at or below the graft site (and it's likely it's at the graft site as that's the weak point on a tree). If it's snapped there, it might well send up shoots from the base, but they won't necessarily be nice quince shoots.

https://8billiontrees.com/trees/tree-broke-in-half-can-it-be-saved/

😂😂😂 this place is full of weirdos

This. You need to replace like for like not a cheapskate present. You can buy same size tree from a specialist nursery. Will cost hundreds of pounds.

@Thebigblueballoon Are you the neighbour? 🌳

It’s a shame people try to fanatically tidy their gardens, what was wrong with a bit of undergrowth anyway?