Tree saga

[pinenuts75]

i have a tree in my back garden which admittedly has grown tall, I just can’t keep on top of it, but it doesn’t really bother me, I planted it years ago, my neighbours are complaining it is sat against their fence and want it chopping down, they have offered to do it, but I feel it’s my responsibility and how would they dispose of it all anyway? I have received a quote £200 which I was expecting it to be more to be honest, I just feel reluctant to pay it as the tree doesn’t really bother me, am I being unreasonable to ask them to pay half? As they want it chopping down not me, the thing is I have messaged her now saying I will just sort it out, I was a bit annoyed at the time as we had a bit of an argument about it last night, please help.

My neighbours put it up, yes I believe it’s being put up correctly

Get another quote, another one at least for trimming.

But that’s an ongoing cost. She’d have to keep paying for trimming.

Op if you can’t remember what it is, look at the comparison below. For info, google ai confirms it is lleylandi

To tell a Thuja tree from a Leylandii, look closely at the foliage sprays and branch tips: Thuja features very flat, pressed, fan-like sprays with blunt or rounded tips, whereas Leylandii has slightly more rounded, 3D, and visibly pointed branch tips that can twist or spiral.
Foliage and Leaf Differences

• Thuja (Arborvitae): Flat, "ironed-out" sprays of glossy, scale-like leaves that often feature a small, raised gland or dot on the back.
• Leylandii (Leyland Cypress): Flatter sprays than some conifers, but less two-dimensional and flat than Thuja; the individual scale tips are more sharply tapered and pointed.

Color and Bark

• Thuja: Usually a rich, bright, or deep green (sometimes slightly yellowish or variegated depending on the cultivar).
• Leylandii: Often carries a slightly duller, darker, or grayish-blue/dusky green tint.
• Bark: Leylandii tends to have a more distinct reddish-brown, shreddy bark, while Thuja bark is a more muted grayish-brown

Our neighbours had this exact same tree very close to our kitchen. When we had an extension we paid to have it removed as its roots were running directly underneath our sewer and were causing tons of damage.

I love trees but this was an absolute bastard and also harboured huge beetles (not stag) that would drop on your head if you were unfortunate enough to walk under it. Shudder!

We paid £350. We were all glad to see the back of it!

Indeed. Such is the way of plants and trees and gardens.

Think about the roots.... I know someone and the roots caused a lot of damage to their drains

If your neighbour has offered to chop it down, can you not just let them? Say you’ve changed your mind and they can do it.

Are they removing the WHOLE tree, roots and all, or are they just cutting it down and leaving a tree stump?

they will cut the tree flush with the ground, it doesn’t include stump grinding but apparently this isn’t necessary.

Chopping it. down will rectify this?

The roots will remain but they won’t grow further.

Remove it. Next time plant a native tree with permission and not on the
boundary where it will piss off the neighbours

I could but don’t think they would be very happy, and there’s the problem of getting rid of it.

Well they piss me off plenty but that’s a whole other story

Then the tree needs to go before it does damage to her fence which you will be liable for.
You made two mistakes with that tree 1st you planted it too close to the fence and 2nd you picked an evergreen that will grow to over 20m in hight

Oh you're a tenant thats a problem for you as your landlord can come after you for the cost of removal and any damage that it does to the property and/or neighbours property.
It looks like a Leylandii and lots of councils have banned them being planted in private gardens due to the size they get and the problems they cause.
So in answer to your question yes you are 100% responsible for the cutting down the tree and the removal of the stump. The sooner you do it the less it will cost you

Looks like a Leylandii, they are an absolute nightmare. 200 sounds a bargain to get rid of it.

If that tree has been there 16/17 years it's NOT A LEYLANDII!!!
If it was a Leylandii it would be about 70 foot tall now.

The easy answer is to cut off the green where it touches the fence.
Cut it right back so there is no green on that branch - just brown.
That branch won't grow again. So no more cutting back.
The tree is a small, slow growing conifer that will not cause anyone any trouble.
It's probably not going to grow much bigger than it is ever.

I trained with the Royal Horticultural Society. Worked all my life as a gardener.

If you do, for whatever reason decide to get someone to chop that tree down and take the waste away a regular gardener or handyman could do the job and it shouldn't cost you more than £100.

Your saying that your neighbours piss you off plenty says it all. I did wonder if they were being petty and I think you just confirmed it.

Personally,I'd be doing nothing with that tree apart from maybe trimming the back. It's not damaging their fence and it's not a Leylandii. If it was it'd be much,much bigger than that after 17 years.
I'd also be telling my neighbours,in so many words,to back off.