Massive trees next door, blocking the evening sunlight

[Tahlbias]

Next door was previously a rented house. It has now been sold and a lovely young couple is going to be moving in. When I saw them, I briefly mentioned about them having a lot of work to do in the garden, with all the massive trees there. They just nodded and said "I know, we have loads to do"

My problem is, now the evenings are lighter l, I want to enjoy my garden in the sunshine. But I can't! I will add pictures to this post to show you how big the trees are and the sunshine we don't get compared to my other neighbors.

Would I be unreasonable to ask them to cut their trees down when they do move in?

Absolutely no harm in asking, but you’ll have to do it in a diplomatic and understanding way.

But if they refuse, you’ll have to suck it up and find a property with no trees or anything that could block light in the vicinity.

Just talk to them, politely.

Not everything has to offend people.

This is really bothering me, can I help pay to sort it? Etc

We bought my grandmothers cottage. The neighbour was on the doorstep before we even did asking me to sort trees that were touching her roof and blocking her conservatory. She was a little cross, but had been putting up with it for years. We are now great friends, had a chat, came to a compromise, turns out she is more keen on the trees than me. DH opinion was take them out and she was horrified

You can’t expect them to chop them down completely, but I think its reasonable to ask them to get them topped a few feet.
They may be cash strapped though, so if you can afford it then I would maybe offer to pay for it doing when you ask them.

"I think it’s a perfectly reasonable thing to consider asking but not just yet."

This

But also this.....

"You would definitely need to fund all or most of the lopping back or removal."

WTF!!
Pleased you're not my neighbour, I would have taken you to court for trespass and destruction of personal property.

Yes and temperatures are set to increase year on year.

We really need to be planting more trees in gardens not chopping them down.
Instead we are covering things with fake grass, hard landscaping and plastic plants.

We had a similar issue but with a farmer whose land boarders our garden. We offered to pay to do it ourselves and they agreed. I really don’t think you can expect your neighbours to pay for something when a)they may like the look of the trees and 2)the lack of sunlight isn’t affecting them.

If you offer to pay straight away they will look at the situation very differently.

We had trees like yours. Our neighbours applied to the council to have them cut back to allow more light. They got permission. We didn’t mind as they made such a mess on our patio. They paid.

Go round before they move in and chop them down yourselves

Our neighbour thankfully cut down the conifer trees at the boundary fence a few days ago. Fence posts were rotten and need replacing. You are right to complain.

What were they playing at? It’s nesting season. They shouldn’t have been cutting down trees. And you’re glad? Couldn’t wait a month?

Omg you cannot put a cinema room in your back garden AND complain about these trees!

My neighbours moved in and tentatively mentioned that three trees behind our shed were blocking the sun from their garden. These hadn’t been planted by us, but neither did they bother us…
We said that whilst we couldn’t cut them down ourselves (DP is allergic to the sap of these trees), they were more than welcome to get them removed, so they brought in a tree surgeon who felled and removed them.
Job done!

Funny how people with zero sense about why you don’t fell trees in nesting season also have dreadful taste in art.

Hoi, no need to get all personal 🤔🤣

@Tahlbias I have similar problem. My NDN DH before he died planted a Christmas tree which has now grown to epic proportions cutting off the light from all the gardens in a certain direction. It also socks all the nutrients out of their garden and has seeded new trees very nearby which have taken root and will no doubt be a problem later.

I've lived here 20 years and previously paid the cost if having the tree cut back. We suggested this a few years ago to prune again or remove completely. Me and a few neighbours would have contributed to the cost. She didn't take up the offer as it wasn't a priority at the time and now it's grown so big its prohibitively expensive.

My suggestion is to wait and see what the do with the garden before you rush to pay anything. If you have the money by all means offer, and if they say no, point out that the trees will grow more and they will see the benefit.

Otherwise it's just something to live with. I plant shade loving plants.

There was nothing nesting in those trees. Too close to humans. Near their living room window. No nests were found.

We spent 14 years living in the shade of two big trees, our first neighbour loved them because she had planted them, the second took the smaller one out and then, literally weeks after we had moved, took out the second one. I could have cried!

You basically want them to pay and do all the hard work to make your homelife happier.

Those trees didn't grow overnight.

I'd suggest you put your hand in your pocket and offer 200 pounds towards them hiring a tree surgeon to cut back the trees.

But it's not going to solve your problem. Even if the trees were halved in height - they're still going to block your sunlight.

If your happiness depends on a sunlit garden, it's maybe time to consider moving.

@Badassnameforadojo
"What were they playing at? It’s nesting season. They shouldn’t have been cutting down trees. And you’re glad? Couldn’t wait a month?"

There was nothing nesting in those trees. Too close to humans. Near their living room window. No nests were found

@Vettrianofan

I have a pair of blackbirds that nest every year in the large laurels next to my kitchen door.
I also have a pair of starlings who nest and roost in the soffits about 30cm from my bedroom window. Robins often nest in sheds that are used my the householder and will readily make a nest wherever they think is suitable.

You are very wrong that birds don't nest near humans!

I have a row of trees down the side of my drive, about 7 feet from my back door. Full of birds. See real nests. Also have a plum tree in the front garden, right across from
the front door. Bird nests in there.

They nest close to humans all the time. Which is why you don’t cut trees during nesting season.

This!!

Not unreasonable. We had some very tall trees at the bottom of our garden which were affecting the neighbours whose gardens back on to ours (I should mention that they weren't blocking out the sun). First time we were asked we simply couldn't afford it and explained this and they were fine. I said as soon as we could afford it we would get it done. And we have done that.
Just be nice and explain/show your neighbours the affect the trees are having.

OP, first of all, we need trees to produce oxygen. They are home to wildlife, reduce flooding and retain soil. They provide shade, retain humidity and keep us cool in summer.

Your neighbours are entitled to say no. The trees may have tree protection orders which mean they cannot be cut down without permission from the council.

Find out what type of trees - native hardwoods like oak and yew are more valued than field maple or birch.

I suggest you plot where the sun is and work out how the trees could be pruned back to give you more light. either reducing the height or lifting the crown. Then chat to your neighbour. Be prepared for a large bill. My last tree surgeons bill was £1,800.

Patronising much?