To think neighbour should shift tree asap?

[Moveyourbloodytree]

Enormous conifer tree of neighbours came down in the storm on Friday. It didn't look unstable or unhealthy to be fair.

It was planted very close to the boundary between our gardens and it has fallen straight across our garden horizontally. Luckily not much damage caused apart from an old piece of play equipment that’s no longer used. It is however completely blocking access to half of our garden and our shed.

Neighbour was out at the time so popped a polite note through the door with our numbers so they could arrange access and whatnot. We’re on polite terms with them but don’t see much of them really.

Transpires his grand plan to get this 40+ foot tree out of our garden is for him and DH to chainsaw it themselves and use our green bin and his to remove it. Pointed out that we couldn’t even get to our shed to access our chainsaw and even if we could there’s not a cats chance in hell the blade would go through the trunk. He just shrugged nonchalantly and said it would get sorted.

AIBU to be annoyed that his tree falling in our garden somehow means we’ve got to pitch in sorting it and if I’m NBU how do I politely tell him he’s crackers if he thinks there’s any solution bar him putting his hand in his pocket and paying for a company to come deal with it?

100% down to your neighbour. Needs to be done professionally as that is a whole lot of tree, no way that's going in the green bins. Fairly sure you're not supposed to either - meant to be 'cuttings', branches, grass etc not a whole bloody conifer. Take a lot of photos - in the garden and from upstairs windows. If you have a log burner, get it cut into logs and store somewhere dry for next winter - smells lovely - but don't burn the branches. Rotted conifer clippings are great for acers and anything that needs ericaceous soil.

If he gets contractors check their qualifications - chainsaw certificates for all staff and insurance before they are allowed onto the property and let him know you will be doing this beforehand

It was clear what you meant and hopefully he'll see sense and get the professionals in. Try and find local professional companies not FB adverts and sound them out. Is he leaving the debris in your garden for your wheelie bin? I'd be reminding him since it's his tree he needs to remove all of it and make good your garden. Jasmine is hardy and should recover as will the lawn - all dormant for another couple of months.

To get a couple of trees trimmed recently they quoted me over £1000, I just don’t have that kind of money, assume your neighbour might not.

Wouldnt be covered by my insurance either, I thought fence panels were, as they were with my previous insurer but this one gleefully sends out emails in windy weather to assure you they aren’t covered, and we could buy a small car with the price they charge.

it doesn’t need someone professional with a chain saw, just someone safe and competent.

A neighbour locally, had their old uncle up a tree with a chain saw a year or so back, that was a bit worrying ( he’s quite ancient) but he got the job done.

If he tries it himself he’s going to end up in A&E.

Green conifer wood is not worth much to be fair. If he wants to cord, split and dry it he could maybe sell it for £60/tonne in a couple of years.

Why would you not contact your insurance company?
What if he injures himself and says that you agreed to the work being done.
You are being foolish.
This is risky work that needs a professional to do it.

We had a 60 ft tree down in the last storm. We are going through insurance. As advised we used professional contractors to chainsaw it and remove the green branches and chop into firewood. Then a specialist came to chainsaw and remove the root ball using a drill on a digger which split the root. DH the smaller job of splitting the logs.

^ This, plus what about any damage he does while working away on it for the next few weeks? What if the wood it too large and sits there for 6 months? What if he has an accident while doing it?

While I understand he is desperate to do it, this is the responsibility of a home owner to have insurance (my insurance covers it) and to maintain the trees (I cut 7 down in my house over the years, and keep the others at a modest height). His responsibility and I think you need to stop him before this gets deeper...

Solicitors letter

Dear Neighbour

Its your responsibility

Get it moved by.....

Please ensure the Contractors working on the site are insured and hold the appropriate qualifications. We will need to see these before they are allowed onto our property and start work.

If we do not hear from you by...........

We will appoint our own contractors and recover the costs from you

Lots of love

Next Door

XXX

Tell them it's really got to be moved within the next 14 days and that unfortunately you are not in a place to help. You might want to get a quote to get it moved and let them have it.

Sadly I actually don’t think it’s legally his responsibility - check with the tree department at your council they all have one. We had a neighbours tree end up in our backyard - when I asked them to move it they also ‘kindly’ offered to help us cut it up…I checked with the council and to add insult to injury not only was it our responsibility they owned the tree so I was legally bound to offer them the parts back - I threw them over the fence!

See this tree surgery website unfortunately it’s your responsibility not fair I know!
evolutiontreesurgeryltd.co.uk/blog/who-is-responsible-for-fallen-tree-removal-uk/#:~:text=–%20If%20the%20tree%20was%20healthy,the%20removal%20and%20any%20damages.

Because we are social housing tenants therefore we only have contents insurance.

We’ve spoken to the housing association and because he is a homeowner and not another tenant they won’t remove the tree for us. They’ve advised he is liable for removing the tree.

Any damage caused that we’d want him to pay for we would have to prove he knew the tree was diseased or unstable which can be difficult. Luckily we don’t need to claim for any damage so it makes things simpler.

A few fence panels is in no way similar to a 40ft tree

If he keeps gaining access to your garden to try and cut it up he’s going to make a right mess and take ages.

Im surprised the social housing landlord isn’t taking it up with him on your behalf.

His tree has damaged the social housing providers estate so I'm genuinely surprised they can't help.This is dangerous, skilled work and no-one should undertake it without the correct equipment and training.

Does your barber moonlight as a free tree cutter?

It’s not OP’s job to muck in.

Everyone seems to want to pass their responsibility to others.

Oh god I hope not . Middle aged fella who works nights and name begins with J? If it is please tell him to book a company

When a huge limb of a neighbour's pine tree splintered off and fell into our garden, we reported it to the council because it had a TPO on it and "someone" would need to get council permission to deal with it. The council's tree preservation officer came round and issued a "7 day notice" to the neighbour which was a legal instruction for them to have it removed within 7 days. They managed to find a tree surgeon to do it - plenty out there and they can adjust their schedules if they want to, even just after a fierce storm!

I would put a banger under your landlords as its on their property

Thank god, no! Older fella, starts with I, harmless but bit of a fretter. Also had idea of chainsaw on conifer with neighbours help to save £££ 🙈

On a seperate group I saw a post from a man with a log burner who was delighted when a neighbour tree fell down. He asked for the logs which they were very happy to give him. Maybe someone local might want them?

I also agree the Housing Association needs a revisit - this tree has damaged their property and they have an uninsured, amateur contractor undertaking dangerous work without their permission.
Have you sent HA a picture of how big this tree is?

I suggest making a complaint, as it will go through their complaints procedure they will have to address it

Point out that it needs to be dealt with by qualified people - see Chainsaw Certificates not by someone from down the pub