To wonder what great aunts options are here?

[KaplanCarr]

I help my great aunt (85) with admin and bits and bobs as whilst mostly independent she’s struggling more with every day tasks. She’s lived in the same house for many years and the back garden has mature trees 40 years olds at least I’d say, I think silver birch. They are very high.

A couple of years ago a neighbour at the back asked if she’d get them cut down a bit so she agreed and they paid a bit toward the cost too as she’s barely got any money. She’s not so fond of the trees that she refuses to cut them, it’s simply that it costs a fortune and she doenst have the money readily available and they’ve never been an issue for many years.

Today the next door neighbour knocked on GA door saying the were concerned about the trees in the wind etc…they offered to it towards them being cut back but £100 won’t go far, you’re taking close to a grand. I can understand their concern, however the trees have been there and like that for many many years, more than the new neighbours have lived there in. They bought their house about 4 years ago and nothings has changed, they haven’t suddenly grown, so they knew there were large mature trees, so part of me thinks well you can’t complain because they haven’t just appeared.

My aunt is worried about what will happen and she’s not against having them cut back but she simply hasn’t got the money to pay as she lives off her pension and has very little in savings. As I say you’d be looking at the best part of a grand I’d say easily so what the heck can be done?

It depends if they are dangerous , are they leaning etc . Do they have TPOs on them as you’d need permission to do anything with them anyway .

Is she a council tenant? If not perhaps it’s time for her to sell up and move into a flat? It sounds like she can’t maintain the house.

multiple thoughts

what if the trees were dangerous - storm damaged - what would she do then ?

would she be happy if they had them cut back at their expense ?

unless they offer proof that there is an issue with the trees she should just say that she won’t be cutting them back, thanks for your concern but I
understadn the tress are just fine and healthy

They want them cut , they can pay . Your aunt is under no obligation to do so . Simply tell them the truth she is a pensioner that doesnt have that kind of money .

I would tell the neighbours to stop pestering your G.A. about the trees, point out that she's really elderly, doesn't have the money to have the trees cut back or removed, and really doesn't need the worry of them pestering her. Then if they start on about if they fall in the wind during the Winter, they'll damage their ..... just point out that that is what house insurance is for.

All she can really do is offer the neighbours what she can afford and see if they're happy to cover the rest of the cost. Or just tell them to get lost!

She doesnt have to do anything. She should just tell the neighbour the cost and say she cant afford to pay any of it herself.

What’s a TPO? Sorry to be thick. They have birds nests in though not sure what type, think pigeons/blackbirds

She doesn’t mind if they want to pay to have them cut back but she’s panicking she’s going to have to find the money. She was asking about loans bless her. I pointed out ahed have no way of repaying so she’s very unlikely to be able to get one.

Tree Protection Order

It’s her own hosue bought. She’s very attached to the houses so she wouldn’t agree to move, though it would have its benefits.

TPO means Tree Protection Order so you can be prosecuted.

The law is clear, they can cut anything off that overhangs their garden. Legally they have to offer them back but you can say no you don’t want them. They then have to dispose of at their own expense.

My neighbour hates trees, she has a plastic lawn and zero plants so was kicking off about one of our mature trees that overhangs the end of her garden. DH lopped off the very few small bits that overhung. She shut up.

Your aunt is responsible for making sure the trees on her property are not a risk to others. She can use that £100 to get an inspection of the trees.

Trees get old, they get diseases, their branches can cause issues or fall off and we live in an era of extreme weather. Heatwaves will affect roots and stability. We have more frequent storms and high winds. Someone was killed near me by a falling tree last week and there is a dispute about who is liable.

I haven’t got a clue, wouldn’t even know how to find out 😳🤣

I think I'd go speak to the neighbours and say, 'Look - she's 85, on a tiny pension and it will cost thousands to cut those trees down. She's not got the money to pay for work she doesn't need done. She's willing to have them removed, providing you organise and pay for it as you are the ones who want them gone. Otherwise they will be staying'.

It doesn't sound like they are dangerous, just annoying to the neighbours.

Surely in high winds all trees could potentially cause a risk? Genuine question. The issue still remains that’s she hasn’t git the financial means to do anything that’s the problem

Has she got adequate insurance in case some one is injured and they sue?

They all have different risks - that's why it needs an inspection. Your neighbours have flagged their concerns twice now.

Contact the local council to find out if there is a TPO.

Yes she does have a responsibility to ensure that they are safe. Sorry but that is the legal stance. You can get them inspected much cheaper which will give an idea how bad the risks are.

I bet the trees are fine - some people just don't like them. Silver birches can be messy dropping catkins and leaves which some people don't like having to deal with. Other people (my neighbours) are terrified they're going to fall over - doesn't happen that often.

Do the trees look like they're leaning or diseased? If they do then it would be a good idea to get a tree surgeon round. If they don't, then leave them be.

Of course, that's why people take out Home Insurance!

I’ve no idea is the honest answer to that.

Two different neighbours. They weren’t concerned when they bought the house and nothing has changed. Perhaps the trees are damaged I have no idea but neither would the neighbours. It’s because of the high winds and it was the same last time. They worry of the trees will fall, but aren’t learning and are well protected and fenced in so they aren’t exposed. They’ve managed to stay upright in the last 30 odd years so there is no suggestion they are suddenly going to fall over now.

They aren’t leaning and are well enclosed to not fully expose to the winds in the way some houses are. They do shed a lot of leaves and I know that must be annoying but I wonder why they’d buy a house so close to mature trees.

That’s what I thought but someone has just asked if she has adequate insurance so I thought perhaps there was an additional one for gardens with big trees 🤣