I know I’m not, but I need to vent!

[Anonandonandonandon]

Neighbours (who we are friends with) asked if they’d mind if they arranged for a tree that is on a footpath behind both our properties to be trimmed.

No problem, we said. We pointed out that they should get Council permission, but we had no objections so long as the tree wasn’t damaged.

I get a text from neighbour just now to ask if I’m in as the tree people need access to remove branches from our garden. Nobody has mentioned need for access before, nobody had checked if anyone would be in to facilitate this.

I’ve been out to the garden and there’s half a fucking tree in it. Huge chunks of tree at least 5 metres long, several metres wide and heavy. It’s fallen directly on top of fences, knocked over ornaments and squashed plants. Our garden is small, the branches are not far from our house. There’s barely any branches in neighbour’s garden.

Now I have no choice but to let a bunch of total cowboys into my garden to remove the tree. I have laid into them and their only response was “but your neighbour said it was fine”.

I don’t want to ruin a friendship, and I blame the tree -surgeons- cowboys, but I am so very angry right now!

Called DH at work to see if he’d discussed entry to our property. He said no, but is pretty “meh” about the whole thing.

Why would It ruin the friendship?. They checked first and you agreed. The works been done and now they are clearing up the debris.

if things have been broken the tree removers need to cover the costs of replacements/repairs.

Get photos and put it all in writing

I didn’t agree that huge sections of tree could be cut to land in my garden, nor did I agree that anyone could access my garden.

A proper tree surgeon would rope up the tree, lower the branches and cut them as they did so. These were 3 blokes up an unsecured ladder with a chainsaw, chopping stuff with gay abandon. Without actually knowing whether they would even be able to access my garden to remove them.

Be like your husband. Not worth falling out with neighbours over their bad workmen. Not their fault.

Gosh I hope no actual problems ever befall you

The tree surgeons are obviously cowboys, but YABU for calling those branches “huge”. From your description I expected logs 2feet thick.

if there is actual permanent damage, then speak to your neighbour, but really, if this is a calamity for you, you need to chill.

This just seems like an overreaction. Can’t they just lift a fence panel for access to remove them, or if you’re in just let them have access to deal with the branches. I’m really not understanding why you’re leaping to the place you are.

I don’t really understand the issue to be honest

I see the "anyone can trash my garden I don't mind" brigade are out in force tonight. I'd send photos to the neighbours with "We certainly didn't agree to this. Presume you will be covering repairing the fence and replacing damaged plants?"

My bad - seems I missed an entire paragraph in the OP! Yeah, I’d be pissed off.

The neighbours need to take it up with the tree surgeons but the access to the garden wouldn’t bother me. Just let them in so they can put it back how it was.

Maybe it was just a bit of a shock and now you’ve realised it’s not a biggie. Plants grow back and you can sort the ornaments out and the fence looks fine. Maybe in the moment is was just unexpected and made you feel a bit violated.

I’m convinced that’s just been added in, I swear OP initially said she was annoyed because most branches were in her garden not the neighbours and there was no mention of damage.
I think that was an add on based on how the thread started going.

Has anything actually been permanently damaged?

I don't think this is worth fussing over really.

It’s fallen directly on top of fences, knocked over ornaments and squashed plants.

Nope. That’s the original post (I edited one spelling error immediately after posting, but that’s it).

I’m not cross with the neighbour, I just worried in the heat of the moment that it would all be awkward. It’s not. We’ve all agree the tree people were awful.

The poster who said it felt like a shock/violation at the time is right. Sat in my jammies on my day off, watching the snowboard cross, I didn’t expect to have to let strange men onto my property and supervise them so they didn’t cause more damage dragging all the branches through a gate too small. They couldn’t see why I was cross.

I have breathed it out! :-)

I'm assuming the way the tree grows there was no avoiding some of the branches falling into your property? Do you think they could've cut it differently so it only went in their own garden?

Idk how much you know about tree surgery but calling them cowboys without being an expert might be a bit strong.

Hopefully you've just let them remove it. Obviously if any damage neighbours liable to rectify it.

But no need to fall out over it. You could just suggest that in future you'd like more notice for such things.

Yeah, they’re cowboys! Former tree surgeon relative has been sent the pictures for a laugh.

Fair enough. That's not great. But I hope they just get rid of the stuff asap.

You do know that when a post has been edited you can still see the original?

Well, better to vent here than lose a friendship. Done now and you can move past.

I’d be fuming too OP. Not sure why some people on here seem to think it’s ok for large bits of tree to come crashing into your fence and garden causing damage.

Id be taking photos and sending to the company asking for compensation. Have they been paid already? Could you ask for a partial refund if so?

Im certainly no expect at tree surgery but I’ve seen a few trees trimmed and pulled down and it’s been done with ropes and careful planning.