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

If you have your side trimmed you give your neighbour the off cuts if they want them but you can’t bill them.

This, am assuming the leaves just lie on top of the artificial grass whereas had it been real grass and soil as @Meadowfinch put they would compost down on it?

I know someone with artificial grass who uses some type of garden vacuum cleaner.

I think we can cut the OP some slack for having astro turf.
”I’m disabled, use a wheelchair, and have severe mobility issues after breaking my spine ten years ago”

OP doesn’t have money for a Gardener.

I would assume if op can’t afford a gardener then she is probably not jetting off on holiday very often so we can cut her some slack for wanting to cut down one tree.

I don't know how long you've been in the property OP, but I would have thought trying to pay someone to cut the tree back on your side before it became such a massive job would have been the best course of action. So if you do pay to get a tree surgeon to cut it back on your side, then perhaps factor in ongoing maintenance.

I'm disabled and have to pay a gardener out of my PIP to mow my lawn every fortnight. I then have to pay him extra for one off jobs to maintain the garden such as cutting things back and tidying up areas where bits have blown in from other gardens.

So is loads of plastic on the floor instead of grass!

OP, you need to get yourself a leaf blower to sort the leaves out. We have one that sucks up leaves and shreds them too - takes 10 minutes to clear our back garden.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mac-allister-mbv2800-2800w-230-240v-corded-blower-vac/404fg

A wheelchair user would find a tiled patio area much easier to navigate on than plastic grass.

I’m confused how a tree can grow that high in what you say is a new build
Was it there when you bought?

Nevertheless
The only issue I can see is that it’s potentially damaging your fence.
In which case you need to get someone in to see if it’s the tree that's actually doing that.

In terms of leaves that’s not the neighbours responsibility and a gardener will help clear that up
Or. Put the grass bavk and they’ll mulch down as nature intended

In terms of overhanging branches you can legally have them cut back on your side. It’s not your neighbours legal responsibility to do that or to not allow you to

Ultimately if you are struggling to maintain your garden you need to get help with that or consider in the long term to live somewhere without a private garden.

Agree the gaps allow the soil underneath to breath aswel
which
whilst not as great as grass does at least not kill the entire ecosystem underground

OP, you just need to get someone - a tree surgeon, gardener whatever to cut back the bits that are overhanging your fence/ garden. You can do that legally without your neighbours permission.

I’m confused how a tree can grow that high in what you say is a new build
Was it there when you bought?
actually this, have also used the good
ol AI to ask how old would the tree be and it’s said can’t be either of the trees op thinks *If either a Japanese Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira) or a Griselinia (Griselinia littoralis) managed to reach the height of a standard 3-story UK house (9 to 12 metres), it would be an absolute geriatric titan of a plant.
In fact, for one of them, it’s practically impossible, while for the other, it would take generations. then says if they were would be 50-80 years! Not a gardener so have no idea if is true!

They don’t legally have to have a fence at all
They must however ensure what they do have is safe
If it’s falling into your garden ask them to remove it within a specified period of time. If they don’t Suggest telling them you will Remove it yourself and give it to them

Exactly
I’m wondering if original trees on the plot were left
Some better developers do this
In which case it may have a tpo

Nevertheless if it was there before OP bought, which it seems likely, people who don’t like trees would be wise not to buy a house with a big one next door
🤷‍♀️

That’s obviously the leaves- leaves blowing into a garden does not reach an actionable standard, nor could the op prove they’re from the neighbour’s tree.

I have as much right to complain about people using environmentally damaging fake grass as anyone has to complain about leaves falling from a tree making their fake grass messy.

Not that it is any of your business but @Nicolasaa9 isn't the only person with disabilities on this thread. You feel better taking your attitude out on another disabled person because you don't like their opinion?