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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Don’t upset the neighbours

50 replies

Shortperson · 05/03/2024 14:58

Hi

i have the best neighbours on one side to me who are very quiet, they leave me alone and I’m very keen to maintain the status quo, if I can.

I want to make some changes that could affect their privacy such as cutting down some very large trees on my land that line my driveway and are growing over it. I have to cut them back every year, there are many of them, it’s going to be expensive so I’d like to take them down completely and just have grass.

These neighbours have been in the area for years and have seen lots of changes, when I moved here a couple of years ago many trees were cut down to build my home and there were lots of muttering about how lovely it was before my home was built. The line of trees had been deliberately left by the builder to give these neighbours privacy but, they are huge!

I’ve not spoken to them so I don’t know how they’d feel about it but I’m guessing they are going to be upset. They have put up a very low fence behind the trees but if I cut them down they going to be exposed to traffic going up down my driveway as well as visitors, postmen, delivery men…etc.

The neighbour on the other side to me made it clear that they did not want my home to be built as they seemed to have an idyllic life before I bought the place. I know it’s not my fault but the general view seemed to be a lot trees had to be removed which had affected the local habitat. These neighbours put a climbing frame with a platform a metre from my fence, they, their friends and children) sometimes would climb it and stare into my dining room, kitchen and living room which was very unnerving! I had to involve the Council in the end to stop it.

I have thought of keeping trees and asking the neighbours for a contribution every year but that is a burden I don’t want or do I just bite the bullet risk souring relations by cutting the trees down?

I have already had a problem with one neighbour over the climbing frame and I don’t want another but these trees are nightmare.

what would you do?

OP posts:
CeffylCoch · 05/03/2024 15:02

Do what you want to do. They might be upset but they don't get a say and will get over it. Won't it affect your privacy though as much as theirs?

jeaux90 · 05/03/2024 15:11

As long as there is no TPO on the tree you can do what you want.

2024Melanie · 05/03/2024 15:12

Keep the trees but give them a good chop every so often?

Talipesmum · 05/03/2024 15:13

What are the trees? Seems unusual to have to have them cut back every year.

redfacebigdisgrace · 05/03/2024 15:17

Sad to think of trees being chopped down. What kind are they?

Blackcats7 · 05/03/2024 15:25

So many people removing trees and grass from gardens these days for ease.
I would hate it if my property was affected by a neighbour doing this.
I would leave the trees for the sake of nature and peace.

Herdinggoats · 05/03/2024 15:28

Do you plan to put a fence back or smaller hedge to keep their privacy. Have a think about how you can mitigate the impact a bit. A mixed hedge can be great for wildlife, give privacy and be easier to manage. Go to them with a plan- rather that just the message that the trees are going.

heldinadream · 05/03/2024 16:14

A few weeks ago I would have been all, no don't cut down trees!
But I've been looking at houses to buy and I've seen some WILDLY inappropriate trees planted in urban and suburban gardens, totally out of place - many of them Leylandii of course. So this sounds like it could be like that?
We saw one innocuous little house, three bed, small-ish, then along the back border of a small garden a row of closely planted Leylandii, I think it was nine of them, massive and growing into each other and obviously put in by someone who didn't have a clue how big they were going to grow. We worked out it could have cost 10 grand to have them taken out. The house had been on the market a year. Honestly they were just nuts.
So if it's that sort of situation OP I think you'd be right to get rid of them, and you could replace them with some nice, garden appropriate hedging.
Not all trees should be saved just because they're trees.
Can you post a pic?

SoupDragon · 05/03/2024 16:19

The line of trees had been deliberately left by the builder to give these neighbours privacy

was leaving the trees part of the planning permission?

CrotchetyQuaver · 05/03/2024 16:19

What trees are they, that need cutting back every year?
You might be best discussing with a tree surgeon first and looking at alternative planting, maybe a smaller hedge and a few random (smaller) trees dotted about that won't need so much maintenance. That might also go down well with your neighbours too.

Blistory · 05/03/2024 16:24

Are you really willing to run the risk of having neighbours on both sides that you have a poor relationship with ?

Yes, they are your trees but for the sake of peace, talk to your neighbours and gauge their feelings before you make any decisions.

Hostile neighbours can ruin your home life so please value what you currently have and tread carefully.

SnowflakeSparkles · 05/03/2024 16:28

Nope I would not cut the trees down. I have had to be very forthright about my rights as a resident having 3 young children in areas where most other residents are older people with no or adult DC, but I would not want to disrupt my neighbours or nature by removing those trees. If they are at the end of your garden it seems a bit dramatic to need to chop them every single year.

SquishyGloopyBum · 05/03/2024 16:28

You need to check whether the retention of the trees were a conditional part of the planning permission or whether you have any TPOs on them.

But you are going to upset a lot of people.

Everyone should be protecting the environment. To cut them down for your own convenience is a poor excuse.?

Why buy a house with a tree lined avenue if you didn't like it? Or don't want the maintenance.

Containerhome · 05/03/2024 16:30

If ibwas your neighbour, I wouldn't bat an eyelid. It's your property. Nothing to do with anyone else. If they want to moan they can. Just ignore. I would politely inform them of whatever you intend to do and leave it at that.

DrJoanAllenby · 05/03/2024 16:37

Are the trees native or those ghastly Leylandii?

fishonabicycle · 05/03/2024 16:43

If they were specifically left to give your neighbour some degree of privacy, it seems a bit inconsiderate to cut them down.

Original poster
Shortperson · 05/03/2024 16:49

The trees are about 30 years old, evergreen and never been cut prior to me cutting them but, the more I do it the more they grow sideways over the drive. They grow on a narrow piece of land along my driveway facing my neighbour’s large house, garage and garden facing the driveway. Think big, bushy evergreen shrubs that grown huge, some are 40 foot. They are very oppressive and are there for my neighbour’s privacy, not for my benefit. My privacy is not affected as it’s long driveway. It’s a load of trees packed along a narrow strip of land along a long driveway.

Thanks for your input. I’m getting a tree surgeon to come for advice, then see my neighbours with a plan and go from there.

OP posts:
heldinadream · 05/03/2024 16:50

Are they Leylandii? I'd almost put money on it.

Original poster
Shortperson · 05/03/2024 16:52

Yes some conifers, laurel

OP posts:
Namenamchange · 05/03/2024 16:55

You can cut them back, but you run the risk of the neighbours planting something on their side to regain their privacy

pickledandpuzzled · 05/03/2024 17:03

Talk to your neighbours and ask whether the trees bother them, because you are worried about them overhanging and blocking their light. Say you need to discuss them with the tree surgeon and get his advice, so wanted to know how the neighbours feel about them first, and if they have any advice or suggestions for something better.

I’m thinking about eventually replacing them with mixed native hedging the birds will like, or perhaps some flowering cherry or beech or (insert tree of your voice).

Is there wildlife in them? Find out first so you can counter with ‘oh no, I’ve read they are no good for biodiversity because they aren’t native.

Far better to ask how they feel and get their advice than go straight in with their worst case scenario.

Jokingnotjoking · 05/03/2024 17:09

No way - we need the trees. Why don’t people and their neat drives get it?

TubeScreamer · 05/03/2024 17:13

What about a compromise. Cut them down (after the summer, after nesting season) but replace with mature native trees or hedging which protects your neighbour’s privacy and doesn’t involve a loss of trees. Maybe consult with her neighbour and see what they would like, for the sake of good neighbourly relations. Doesn’t need to be 40 foot high, but high enough to keep them happy.

maximist · 05/03/2024 17:26

I'd just cut them down. If you tell your neighbours in advance they might try to get a TPO put on them.

BobbyBiscuits · 05/03/2024 17:32

Do not 'ask their permission' so to speak, as it is unlikely to be 'granted'. Just do it. It's your land and neighbours frankly have no right to stop you.
It does seem a shame though. Can you get an arborist round to see if you can swap them for different ones of just prune them back? I guess you don't like them so it's your choice.