How to trim neighbour's pine tree hanging out on our side

[Return2thebasic]

We all have very small garden. The neighbour has a pine tree which has grown bigger and taller every year. Two years ago, they trimmed the tree from the top to get more light into their garden which was great. But the problem is that the rest of the tree has grown really wide too.

From the pictures you can see, the sections hanging above our side are not only leave or thin branches, but also the bigger main branches with barely any leaves in their side of the garden. They reach out on our side over 3 feet at least. The height to handle is probably from above 6 feet on the ground to 12-13 feet high.

I understand we have the right to trim the parts above our garden. But to do that would mean their tree would be left half bare on the side probably. I can ask them if they are happy or not - surely they can't say no, as this right now blocks probably half day of the sun in our very narrow garden.

They also has a holy tree hanging on our side too. But that is just about cutting the leaves and some thin branches.

Does anyone has any advice? What shall I use to trim these thick branches? Do I have to break the bank hiring someone to do this?

Just ask them to trim it back surely?

@ThisIsStartingToBoreMe

Just ask them to trim it back surely?

Is that ok? I thought it's in our responsibility? In any case, they are an old couple. I don't think they can climb the ladder to do it...

You are allowed to trim the tree back to the boundary e.g. up to the fence. You are then suppose to give all the cuttings to the neighbour.

Do you get on with the neighbour?

As it would be worth talking to them about the issues you are having with the tree before you cut it back. They may agree to take the tree out instead. If they don't tell them you are cutting it back.

Oh and wait until 1st August before you cut it back in case there are nesting birds in it.

I would check whether there is a TPO on the tree first of all. Our local council is very strict and no branches or trimming of TPO trees can be done without LA agreement. Otherwise, there is a large fine to pay.

Your neighbours might not be keen on paying to have their tree trimmed back as it won't benefit them. I would use a reputable tree surgeon, discuss with the neighbours exactly how much will be cut back beforehand and be prepared to pay the bill.

Do you think you could do it on your side or is it to high? If you think you could diy but are just worried about the tree looking a mess afterwards I would speak to them and say you are planning on trimming it unless they’d prefer to hire someone? And then just hire a chainsaw and go for it.

@Spiderplantsoutside

Do you think you could do it on your side or is it to high? If you think you could diy but are just worried about the tree looking a mess afterwards I would speak to them and say you are planning on trimming it unless they’d prefer to hire someone? And then just hire a chainsaw and go for it.

I'm not confident in handling a chainsaw, especially having to be on a ladder. I'm thinking to go prudently using a telescopic tree pruner/cutter...just doing bit by bit...

Looks like it may well be a leylandii to me. It is definitely not a pine tree. There won't be a TPO on that.

Chop away at the holly to your heart's content, it will be fine.

When you prune leylandii, like many other conifers it will not grow back from a bare branch, so bear that in mind when cutting it back. Oh, and you can't just hire a chainsaw anyway, you need proper training in how to use them safely.

That's not a pine is it? It looks like a cypress.

You are allowed to trim the tree back to the boundary e.g. up to the fence. You are then suppose to give all the cuttings to the neighbour. No. You are allowed to trip the tree back to the boundary if you can do so without killing the tree. You have to offer the cussing back, but if they don't want them, you need to dispose of them. Dropping them back over the fence could be regarded as fly tipping.

@yamadori

Looks like it may well be a leylandii to me. It is definitely not a pine tree. There won't be a TPO on that.

Chop away at the holly to your heart's content, it will be fine.

When you prune leylandii, like many other conifers it will not grow back from a bare branch, so bear that in mind when cutting it back. Oh, and you can't just hire a chainsaw anyway, you need proper training in how to use them safely.

Looked up leyland cypress. I think you are right.

I was looking at an telescopic hedge trimmer this evening. But a decent one with battery would cost nearly £200. One-off use, I have hard time to justify it. So decided to go with a Spear and Jackson 4930FZ/03 Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner. I will have a better look at the tree tomorrow. I will try to use this tree pruner picking branches to cut. See how lucky I could get...

@MereDintofPandiculation

That's not a pine is it? It looks like a cypress.

You are allowed to trim the tree back to the boundary e.g. up to the fence. You are then suppose to give all the cuttings to the neighbour. No. You are allowed to trip the tree back to the boundary if you can do so without killing the tree. You have to offer the cussing back, but if they don't want them, you need to dispose of them. Dropping them back over the fence could be regarded as fly tipping.

I think I would politely ask their help to dispose some into their green bin. Otherwise it would take me several weeks of full bin to get rid of them...

@yamadori

Looks like it may well be a leylandii to me. It is definitely not a pine tree. There won't be a TPO on that.

Chop away at the holly to your heart's content, it will be fine.

When you prune leylandii, like many other conifers it will not grow back from a bare branch, so bear that in mind when cutting it back. Oh, and you can't just hire a chainsaw anyway, you need proper training in how to use them safely.

I can use some fast-growing climber to cover up the bare branches where there's no green leaves? Gosh, I really feel it's a horrible idea in some way. But I just saw a post in another forum where someone regretted hugely with the trim she made. The result was extremely ugly scene with lots of exposed dead branches in broad daylight...

I think you need the advice / services of a tree specialist, you want to get this right. Speak to your neighbours (nicely) and you may find they would like more of their side taken off too and you could offer to split the cost?

You can hire garden tools if it’s something you are not going to need regularly.

www.hss.com/hire/p/hedge-trimmerlong-handle-petrol

Please speak to the neighbours first. They may well agree to get someone to cut it back for you.

@WeAreTheHeroes

Please speak to the neighbours first. They may well agree to get someone to cut it back for you.

I will speak with them when I get a chance (feeling my hands itchy and wanting to act soon though - half summer is slipping away and I'm starting a flower bed.)

But I don't think they would either volunteer to pay for the trimming or wanting to demolish the tree... They have hired tree surgeon to chop off 2/3 of the top only two years ago - the tree looks really ugly right now if looking from above. Certainly they either still want some green over their garden or they wouldn't want to pay once more to demolish it even if we propose to split the bill.

I'm now worried about the root of the tree... I thought it's planted on the edge of their fence on the other side. But no! Just looked more carefully, it's right in the middle of their fences on both ends, i.e. 2 meters away from our garden where I want to have a flowerbed... Would the flowers/shrub survive when they have to compete for water/nutrition?

@Return2thebasic they might have been advised to take the tree down slowly if it is close to the house so as not to cause subsidence. It was something we were warned about when considering buying a property taking it down step wise of 5 years to allow the ground conditions to adjust.

Generally plants don’t like being close to evergreen trees and quite often the ground is bare below.

Could you do a raised bed with a permeable sheet at the bottom to stop the tree roots getting in?

[quote Didicat]@Return2thebasic they might have been advised to take the tree down slowly if it is close to the house so as not to cause subsidence. It was something we were warned about when considering buying a property taking it down step wise of 5 years to allow the ground conditions to adjust.

Generally plants don’t like being close to evergreen trees and quite often the ground is bare below.

Could you do a raised bed with a permeable sheet at the bottom to stop the tree roots getting in?[/quote]
@Didicat, thank you for the response. Good point about a possible slow process of taking down the tree. I haven't thought about it. It's really unthinkable that they planted it in such a small garden (Victorian houses, very narrow gardens).

Our ground nearest to their side seems to have weeds and wild strawberries running all over. Our side ground is slightly higher than theirs. So maybe that has played a part?

If it doesn’t even need a chainsaw I would just go for it. I know technically your supposed to offer back the trimmings but they aren’t going to care

Also it might as you say expose some dead branches which might look a bit rubbish at first but the greenery will grow back next spring

Leyland I grow absolutely huge. I would chat to the neighbour about trimming it as much as possible and do as much as possible on your side to chop through roots to restrict the growth. Chopping roots is unlikely to kill is but if it does then that wouldn't be the worst thing to happen. Maybe you could chat to the neighbour about offering to pay half to replace the tree with something more suitable for the space that you can both enjoy?

Also just to reinforce what @RedMarauder said. You can't cut trees or bushes back until the 1st of August because of nesting birds so you will have to wait a bit anyway. I think it is illegal.

Speak to them and then hire a professional.