Size of tree

[m4d0]

So have a Next door neighbour who constant moans about the size of our apple tree, always wants us to cut it back including asking ppl we have had do other jobs in our garden to cut bits off.

I'm sick of being asked but also don't want to fall out with her about it. We are getting it cut back this year when it's the right time of year. Any ideas? Also 6 months pregnant with baby no 2 so feeling a bit more sensitive

During the dormant period so between November and March.

Don’t!
Second you give in to these sorts of people they take it as proof that whatever they want they can force you into it again and again.
Once the tree is trimmed it’ll be something else..

And get someone who knows what they are doing with fruit trees. Some so-called tree surgeons have just been trained in chainsaw wielding and know sod all about horticulture. They'll just hack it about and ruin the shape. It's a deciduous tree, so you don't want it looking like a butcher's window all through the winter months.

@Borderstotheleftofme

Don’t! Second you give in to these sorts of people they take it as proof that whatever they want they can force you into it again and again. Once the tree is trimmed it’ll be something else..

Try to think for a moment how this may be affecting the OP's neighbour. Our NDNs have very large trees which drop all sorts of detritus on our lawn, patio, guttering and washing. The roots have lifted the patio slabs and now they're a trip hazard.

They need to be cut back hard but I can't do it and can't afford to pay someone to prune other people's trees! It's horrible.

it's healthier for an apple tree to be pruned yearly.

So is part of the tree growing over their boundary? If so they have every right to cut those branches back to the boundary - which could leave you with a very wonky looking tree.... So if that's the case I would rather keep it well pruned all over to stop them being tempted to chop at it. If none of it is growing over their garden, I would ignore them - although generally fruit trees benefit from a good pruning every year.

Try to think for a moment how this may be affecting the OP's neighbour. Our NDNs have very large trees which drop all sorts of detritus on our lawn, patio, guttering and washing
Controversial but here we go..
There is no right to light in the UK, trees are a vital habitat and good for flood prevention, absorbing pollution etc.
My neighbours also have trees, I’m regularly out pruning them back to the boundary line.
Yes they can be a bit of a pain in the arse with saplings that need pulling, me having to dispose of all the prunings, the dropped leaves etc but I think it’s one of those minor annoyances you just have to put up with personally.

The roots have lifted the patio slabs and now they're a trip hazard
That’s different though to things like shade, fallen leaves etc, that’s damage to your property.
If the trees are damaging your property I would have thought the neighbours must legally be liable surely and required to repair the damage?

They need to be cut back hard but I can't do it and can't afford to pay someone to prune other people's trees!
I wouldn’t have thought cutting the trees back would affect the roots.

None of it goes over her garden. We have had it pruned in the past and plan to do it this year it's the instant comments. She does the same about our front garden too which we have just paid someone to tidy for us but she comments on when we should be doing things and when she thinks things should be cut. I have no issue with her cutting things that hang over her side just don't need to feel awkward when I see her about what she might say next.

In that case stop pandering to her and tell her to do one.

She does the same about our front garden too which we have just paid someone to tidy for us but she comments on when we should be doing things and when she thinks things should be cut
Exactly the sort of thing I was referring to.

These people are never happy OP, they want everything their own way and as soon as you pander once they’ll always be pestering over something else for ever more...

Controversial but here we go..
There is no right to light in the UK, trees are a vital habitat and good for flood prevention, absorbing pollution etc

The trees don't cut out any light, it's the mess, damage, inconvenience and potential cost that upset me. I have nothing against trees in appropriate locations, these are at the end of their very long garden but only a couple of metres away from my back door (my house is around the corner from them).

If the trees are damaging your property I would have thought the neighbours must legally be liable surely and required to repair the damage?

That will never happen as they are arrogant ignorant arseholes.

Apple trees are rarely that large compared to other British trees. We have 4 in our garden. What is your neighbour concerned about? I'd have to say they are one of the least offensive trees possible!

She does the same about our front garden too which we have just paid someone to tidy for us but she comments on when we should be doing things and when she thinks things should be cut She may be right. Many "gardeners" basically specialise in lawn mowing, trimming and hedge cutting, and they need to work all year round, so will do the whole lot when they're there, regardless of the different pruning needs of different plants. Your garden may be tidy, but if plants are pruned at the wrong time they may not flower as well as they could, or indeed at all, and in some cases they may be vulnerable to disease.

I hate our apple tree. Our neighbour won’t let us cut it, at least it’s not worth the hassle. Fruit constantly dropping and neither of us use it.
He also insisted on pruning it a few years back and now it looks ridiculous.