AIBU to resent being asked to pay for neighbours cutting back our tree?

[Eatyourgreensplease]

We have lived in our house for 20+ years in most of that time the house next door to us has been rented out with various families having lived in the house in that time. Recently the landlord evicted a family and is making extensive improvements to the house because of the damage caused.
We have a tree on our boundary (think ornamental blossom type) which we keep shaped and tidy on our side. We have done the same on the neighbours side in the past but recently the tenants in the property have not been in agreement to us doing this. As a result the tree has grown into the neighbours garden quite significantly and no attempt has been made to keep it trimmed. Today the landlord has asked us to pay to have the tree cut back to the boundary line and for the debris to be removed. Apparently the letting agent has advised them that if we don’t agree to do this, then the branches should just be thrown over into our garden!

We agreed will cut back the tree and deal with the debris, but am I unreasonable to think the landlord and previous tenants are CFs who should have not allowed it to get to this state? And while I recognise that it is by law their right to cut back the tree that has grown onto their property, it’s also unreasonable to expect us to pay to deal with that? Surely that’s just something we all take care of in our own gardens?

OP's attempt to care for the overhang in the past was refused. The mistake was not putting it in writing and insisting on access, taking a legal route if necessary.

I would be tempted to pursue shared costs this time because of that and a formal agreement moving forward in which OP continues to care for the tree at her own cost.

My scumbag neighbours planted huge trees right along the boundary as close to my house and as far from theirs as possible. It’s sign of being an utter lowlife in my opinion. Legally you might not be responsible for managing it but you are responsible for any damage or harm it causes. They neighbours obviously isn’t impressed with you either if they taking about throwing the tree waste into your garden (where it rightfully belongs).

"It’s sign of being an utter lowlife in my opinion"

Could they just have wanted privacy?

I agree with you 💯 there are some very entitled people around, that rely on the antiquated tree rules. We all know the ones just let them get on with it it till something doesn't go their way, then we will hear all about it no doubt.

This happened to somebody I know. The person who didn't own the tree put nails into the tree in question which caused it to die. It was very obvious who had done this but as it could not be proved, nothing could be done.

Those scumbag lowlifes, planting trees 🙄

Maybe just place them in their garden rather than half in.

Meh. I always pay for all the upkeep of my trees. After all, they are mine and if my neighbour wants a tree cut back I will sort it - regardless of them declining it in the past. I know the law does not require it, but it's the right thing to do. Similarly, if a neighbour wanted a tree near the boundary removed with good reason, I would do that at my cost.

If I really wanted to plant a tree no one else can ask me to spend money on, I would plant it in the middle of my garden so it doesn't affect neighbours in any way.