Neighbor hates my tree

[Treehugger14]

We bought our house in Autumn last year and it is our first time having a garden. Not in the UK to clarify from the start.
Soon we realized that two of the trees were falling down and organized to have them felled. Since they were on the boundary of each of our neighbors, the workmen needed to access to their gardens, so we let them know in advance.

When discussing this, the neighbour to the right asked us to remove another tree, a very tall Linden tree, as it drops leaves into his garden and the birds shit on his rasberries. We love this tree and it would also be very expensive to remove, so we said no.

In the meantime, I have gotten a bird feeder camera and love seeing the birds come every day.

Along side the fence separating our gardens, which is just a low slatted thing, we also have multiple rose bushes. They grow tall but fully within our garden. Yesterday I was at work and got a notification of a new bird on my feeder so opened the app to check it out. Only it wasn't a bird, it was the neighbour coming over the fence into my garden to trim the rose bush, casually throwing the stems over into his garden. I'm talking about several huge parts of the bush removed.

Today I saw him out in the garden, kindly asked him how his veggies were doing, and mentioned I saw him come into my garden yesterday and next time please ask. I did not mention the camera, but that i had seen it from the window. I am sure he was puzzled because he may have waited for me to leave and watch me walk down the street. The camera only shows my garden, not the neighbour's, but i don't want to alert him to its presence in case he comes in again.

He didn't apologize, and instead immediately switched the topic to ranting about our Linden tree and how he was going to sue us if a branch fell on his grandson's head and we need to remove it. I said I could pay someone to check the branches and trim it and he said no I want it gone. I said well i like the tree. "That doesn't interest me. What interests me is all the leaves i need to pick up from my garden." And I said "Well what interests me is when people trespass on my property so please dont come in my garden." He then demanded to speak to my dh, which really gets my back up because dh will not be making any decisions about the tree without my permission anyway, because im the one doing all the work in the garden.
We already removed two trees as soon as we moved in which the previous owners had clearly neglected, immediately rectifying a problem for all neighbours - but this tree is perfeclty healthy and attracting beautiful wildlife. We met the neighbour's son who actually owns the house nextdoor and exchanged numbers, so were thinking about contacting him as he might be a bit more reasonable.

I couldnt get rid of the tree now anyway, because it is against the law. But AIBU to want to keep my tree and for expecting at least an apology?

NDN is a cheeky fecker on all accounts! Keep the tree the birds and can you stop him climbing your fence to get in?

A higher fence?

I would feel pleased that there is a lovely tree and am not an absolute planet killing idiot with plastic grass worried about the "mess" of leaves falling on it.

So the TPO comments did give me inspiration to look for similar regulations here and it turns out cutting down trees in this particular town is strictly controlled (we moved here because it was so green). This explains why there are so many huge trees everywhere.

You can only remove a tree that is creating a danger to others or others property, fruit and nut trees that are dropping food and attracting rats, or trees with a trunk diameter of less than 30 cm. And you need a permit.

This baffles me even more because he’s ranting about something we can do absolutely nothing about. There is a number on the town page that I might call for advice, as some mentioned he might try to hurt the tree as justification for its removal.

Also rules about entering pruning someone else’s garden are strict. Even if the branches are in another’s garden they have to ask you first before pruning and give you a chance to do it yourself. If you refuse they must send written proof they have requested and only after a certain time frame can they do it themselves.

Honestly think the guy is taking the piss because we are foreign and thinks we won’t look into the laws or our rights.

Ask him for the stolen roses back! You have video evidence to report him to the Police if he doesn’t.
And apart from making sure branches don’t overhang his garden, you aren’t obligated to do anything else about the tree.

My BIL used to say things like this. He had a huge tree in his front garden in Ashford that he wouldn't deal with because ooo nature oooo the tiny birds. In a huge storm one winter it came down and went through the neighbours roof and front bedroom. They were so frightened that this would happen that they had slept downstairs. If they hadn't they would be dead. Trees in a rural environment can very often be left to grow unchecked and to fall when their time is up. Trees in an urban environment need to be managed.If a tree is too big for the space it's in it can be removed and replaced with a smaller sapling that will grow into something more appropriate for the space available. Just because something is there doesn't mean it must grow unchallenged.

You could batch cook for him and offer to clean his house while you’re at it.

Are you in Switzerland?

His problem, not yours, which he's evidently had a long time.

So tell him to f. off, and do point out you have a camera.

And this is why people should get a reputable tree surgeon to assess their tree and advise if any work is required.

The majority of people don’t want to pay for tree work in any way, shape or form, then go ballistic when the tree falls.

You don’t see the wrong in the neighbour coming into the OP’s garden and helping himself to her roses?

I don’t suppose he’s an old German man is he? He sounds like my neighbour 😂

Speak for yourself.
We don't know how healthy the tree is, despite seemingly so.
Agree
@AngelinaFibres , I've had a healthy looking tree suddenly break in half and fall opposite a kids play area.
One of those what could have been moments.

Seems the tree is protected enough OP, but no harm letting him know about the camera as that would deter him.
Camera won't be of any use after he's damaged it as he may just get a slap on the wrist.

What I wouldn't have done though, is put a bird feeder after he's mentioned the issue with the birds, especially as it sounds like you have a big enough garden to put the bird feeders elsewhere.

Also, by involving his son, you're doing what he was doing by trying to speak to your DH.

Won't be great if the son sides with him.