to think my neighbour should pay half, if not the whole cost for this!

[LovingTheRain]

My neighbour knocked on the door this afternoon and told me she was getting a conservatory build onto the back of her house. She then went on to tell me that the tree in my garden is going to have to be cut down as the building guys have told her the roots will cause problems for her not yet build conservatory in years to come.

Didn't mention anything to her at the time, but since thinking about it, i think it would only be fair to ask her to pay for half, if not the whole job of having the tree removed. It's going to cost about £300!!! according to the company i called and described the tree and its size etc.

The tree is in my garden, is not dying in any way and we happen to really like it! I know i'm being selfish by not wanting it cut down but is it unreasonable to ask her to pay for it to be removed? There is no way i want to pay anything to have it removed, let alone £300.

I don't suppose there is anyway i can refuse to cut it down can I?

AIBU in asking her to pay? DH doesn't want to cause any problems and thinks we should pay for it!

[3littlefrogs]

I think she's got a cheek TBH.

[Picante]

Of course you can refuse to cut it down.

That's shocking.

[EccentricaGallumbits]

If you like it don't cut it down. Get a tree preservation order slapped on it or something.

[dmo]

i would say you cant afford to have the tree taken down but if she would like to get a quote herself she can pay for the tree to come down

[Weegle]

you are well within your rights to refuse to cut it down I think

[TrinityRhino]

if you want it to stay there then dont cut it down
that is very cheeky and out of order

I wouldn't do it

I love trees

[DaisymooSteiner]

You don't need a tree preservation order, of course you can just refuse to cut it down! What is it with neighbours and tress at the moment?!

[AMumInScotland]

Simply say you don't want to cut it down - it's your tree and she has absolutley no right in law to demand that it is cut down at all.

If you agree to have it cut down, make her pay for the whole lot, and make all the arrangements.

But not if you like the tree and don't want to lose it!

[HecatesTwopenceworth]

Why the hell should you cut it down? Agree with the others, tell her if she wants it cut down, she can pay for it!!

[blondissimo]

Em, I think as the tree is in your garden, it is your tree, and therefore you can decide if you want it cut down or not. If you do decide to cut it down, then she should definitely pay the whole amount. It would be a different matter if its roots were encroaching on her current property - but a building that has not been started......?
YANBU - decide if you want to cut it down first, and if you do, get a quote and then post it through her door.

[icedgemsrock]

I am amazed you think you should pay! the tree isn't causing you any problems, you like the tree, she doesn't want it there.
You could either refuse to let her touch the tree
or the decent thing is to let her pay to have it cut down.
Crazy to pay for it yourself

[Hassled]

To my knowledge, you're under no obligation to cut the tree down. You should confirm this - there are websites re neighbours/hedges/trees etc. which might help.

Did she even bother to apologise in advance for the noise of the building and disturbance to you etc?

[Plonketyplonk]

Is your neighbour going to ask you to bash down some walls in your house at your own expense too? Your tree is none of her business. If there is any overhang into her garden, she is allowed to cut it back to the boundary and give you back the bits, and of course she is allowed to dig whatever she likes in her garden.

[TrinityRhino]

yes even if it was overhanging she would be allowed to cut it back BUT she would HAVE to GIUVE back the bits of YOUR tree she cut

really if you dont want to then dont do it

[LovingTheRain]

She said there will be a permission letter coming through the post re. her conservatory. Not sure if it will mention the tree though!

[EldonAve]

If you like your tree then keep it
She can't make you remove it just so she can have a conservatory

[pointydog]

You people are being so arsey, you make me despair. SOunds like the neighbour came around perfectly pleasantly to explain her problem.

Big trees are not suitable for many gardens due to the roots affecting foundations (plus other neighbourly reasons).

I think you are being ridiculously indignant at what is a reasonable request and you should be able to talk it through sensibly like adults and reach a solution which suits everyone.

[pointydog]

Selfish, shouty, petulant, that's what many of these posts sound like.

[Stargazer]

She's got a cheek!! It's your tree and you get to decide whether or not to have it cut down. And if you do decide to accommodate HER wishes, then SHE should pay the whole lot.

Frankly, I'd keep the tree!!

[mumblechum]

You need to be aware though that her builders may cut through the roots on her side which potentially could kill your tree.

I agree with others, though, she has a cheek

[LovingTheRain]

pointydog, are you her?? the tree is pretty small compared to what she has in her garden (although hers are not near the house!!)

[pointydog]

I wonder how many exclamation marks and angry faces we'll get on this thread.

[Hassled]

The letter will probably be asking your views re whether planning permission should be granted. Unless they've already got the permission and the council didn't canvass neighbour's views, so they're just writing to tell you permission's been granted.

Sounds like it will be quite a big conservatory - I think you don't need permission if the extension is less than a certain % of the house (not sure what % though, but I thought it was something like 10%).

[LovingTheRain]

mumblechum, if her cutting the roots with the building work killed the tree would i be able to ask her to pay to have it removed?

[shootfromthehip]

Pointydog, I got the opposite impression from the OP- I thought she was being arsey by telling her it would have to go and she would need to pay for it. And I for one would not be told to do anything by anyone in those circumstances, especially if it was a nice tree in my back garden