AIBU to expect my neighbour to cut back their overgrown tree?

[Nicolasaa9]

I know some of you may disagree, but I’m genuinely looking for advice.

I’m disabled, use a wheelchair, and have severe mobility issues after breaking my spine ten years ago. My neighbour has a tree that’s now around 25 feet tall in our very teeny tiny new build gardens. It’s basically taking up a 1/4 of their garden and It’s growing into my garden, has damaged my fence, blocked our drains twice with leaves, blocks my garden drainage by my doors and constantly covers my AstroTurf in debris.

I had artificial grass installed because I physically can’t maintain a garden, but the mess from this tree has made it impossible to keep tidy and it’s ruined my garden! I’ve politely asked my neighbours several times to trim it back and have sent notes, but nothing has been done. Even our HOA has asked them, but because the tree is on private property, they say they can’t enforce anything.

I just feel it’s inconsiderate at this point, it’s so tall I need hire someone with equipment to cut it back and I really can’t afford to pay a gardener right now. Yes I have people who can help cut it but it’s so tall you would need equipment. I would never expect my neighbours to put up with damage and ongoing mess from something on my property and it makes me so depressed because it’s basically ruining my garden, what would you do in this situation? The council said they can’t do anything as it’s not causing an issue to public paths or anything

YANBU I have the same problem here and have taken to sorting it out myself, paying for a gardener to do it.

What do they say when you ask them to cut it back?

I’ve seen them a hand full of times leaving our estate and very nicely asked them if they can trim the tree back as is causing issues and they just say yeah yeah it’s on the to do list or when it’s warmer or they will get around to it. They’re never rude to me just always brush it off!! I think I’m going to have to say I’m getting a tree surgeon and sending you the bill! It’s at the point where it needs a tree surgeon to sort it out.

What type of tree is it?

You just have to go with the legal position.

Some trees are permitted at height, some are not.

You have legal rights to trim what overhangs your property.

The only thing you’ve mentioned which is genuinely a reasonable thing to bring up with them is the fence if the tree has actually damaged it. Leaves fall off deciduous trees and blow about. It’s unreasonable to expect other people to keep their gardens like deserts just because you prefer plastic. You either need to pay someone to keep your garden tidy or live somewhere where you aren’t responsible for a garden.

I don’t know what it is Ai says it’s either Japanese Pittosporum or Griselinia? All I know it’s my house is three floors and it’s almost as tall as my house

Always one boring predictable miserable person who missed the point 🙄

What point? PP is right, leaves are a fact of life.

What point? We need trees and gardens not concrete and pristine astroturf.

I’d secretly poison the tree in your position.
If it’s diseased/dying, they will be forced to cut it down.

Yes, but a 25ft monstrosity in a tiny postage stamp garden is going to cause more damage than good.

You are not able to bill them for a tree surgeon, if you ask nicely and cover the cost yourself they might let you work on the tree as a whole or you can cut back over hanging branches.

Both of those are evergreen trees and Griselinia wouldn’t be that tall. There’s nothing stopping you cutting back anything overhanging the boundary. You don’t need to wait for them to do it. Hope that wasn’t too boring or predictable for you 😃

Can you show us a picture? From your OP, the main problem seems to be leaves blowing into your garden . If the tree/ shrub is leaning on your fence and damaging it then yes they need to do something . But if the issue is leaves blowing into your garden then the only thing you can do is to pay for the branch overhanging your garden to be cut at your own cost.

Structural problems being caused by their tree legally you CAN do something about - contact your insurance company and get them to sort it out between them
anf the neighbours! Leaves etc is YOUR problem unfortunately so pay someone to
come once a month or twice a month to
sweep up the mess it makes. That’s all you can do legally unfortunately. Yes morally the neighbour should deal with it all but they won’t

What the actual fuck.

You can cut back branches that overhang (or pay someone to do it) but we are in a climate emergency so every tree counts!

@LoremIpsumCici disgusting comment ! Bet you have fake grass!

OP on windy days I get all sorts of leaves in my garden from trees that are 2 or 3 or more houses away. Leaves blow all over the place and your neighbours trimming a couple of overhanging branches won’t solve this. Leaves are a fact of life.

Structural damage is another thing though so talk to your neighbours about that.

Griselinia can definitely grow that tall! But perhaps not in that timeframe.

Trees are not monstrosities.

I bet your garden is a shitty concrete and Astro monstrosity.

I don’t, hate the stuff, I have a garden that is 5 acres. I have loads of plants and trees.

I know that an overgrown tree in a confined space that is too small for it is not a healthy tree and is actually a danger to the humans living in the homes around it. It would be a kindness really.

Hah couldn’t be further than the truth. I have a very large garden and yes I have had to cut down trees that prior owners planted too close together.

Also our waterboard will check for drain issues. A colleague at work got them in, the neighbour was liable for the damage it had done to the drainage system.

A neglected overgrown tree the owners refuse to properly care for is hazardous to other plant and animal life as well as humans.

Overgrown trees can lead to many problems for your garden. These trees affect everything from soil health to safety. Large trees create hidden dangers that grow worse over time.
Starving Nearby Plants of Sunlight
Dense canopies create thick shade that kills your garden. Overgrown trees can overshadow smaller plants in your garden completely. You’ll notice patchy grass and yellowing leaves. Your vegetables stop growing, and flowers won’t bloom properly.
Nutrient Competition in the Soil
Tree roots spread wide and steal water from other plants. Overgrown roots take most nutrients before flowers can use them. Your plants wilt even when you water them regularly. The soil stays dry near the tree base.
Increased Risk of Plant Disease Spread
Poor airflow around thick foliage creates damp conditions everywhere. Pests and diseases thrive in the dark, wet spots in your garden. Mold grows easily in these shaded areas. You’ll see powdery mildew and black spots on leaves.
Pest Harborage
Overgrown and unkept branches provide insects and rodents perfect hiding places. You’ll find chewed leaves and bug problems throughout your garden. Animal droppings appear on your plants regularly.
Root Damage to Garden Structures
Underground roots push into raised beds and damage pipes. They break through concrete and garden edging. Structural damage appears as cracked walkways and lifted soil. Your garden borders become misaligned and uneven.
Weakened Branches as Hazards
Heavy falling branches threaten people and damage property during storms. Weak limbs break easily, especially during storms or high winds. You’ll see low-hanging branches and splitting bark. Light winds drop twigs and small branches regularly.
Disturbed Soil Structure and Erosion
Aggressive roots change how water moves through your garden. Shaded areas develop bare patches and uneven ground. Water does not drain properly but pools in strange spots instead. It makes the soil become unstable and hard to work on.

100% agree - YABU.