Neighbours tree

[craigsgirlfriend]

Our neighbour who we share the back boundary with, has a lovely old oak tree in their garden. It must be at least 40ft high. We have never met or had a conversation with them. Our house was was built 13 years ago and was previously fields. We have lived here 7 years. A significant proportion of the tree overhangs our garden and our separate garage. The lowest branches are about 8ft high over our garden and rest on the garage roof. We would like the tree cut back significantly, as it blocks so much light. Who is responsible for this? If it is us, do we have ask their permission? I know that it will need a tree surgeon. Any advice gratefully received.

Pretty sure you are legally entitled to cut any branches that overhang your land. I think you'd need to check if there was a Tree Protection Order over the tree though so a quite chat with them is probably in order.

Thanks for replying @PlantyPotts I guess I'm hoping they might be responsible for the tree as the tree surgeon bill is £££.

I’m Guessing it was there when you moved in since it’s likely to be hundreds of years old.

If and only if it doesn’t have a Tpo protecting it then you can potentially cut back overhanging branches (at your own cost) but you’d be a knob to “significantly cut it back” since that is likely ruin the tree as you can only touch the overhanging part.

A tree has to be balanced

What is it about trees on MN at the moment?!

It's a lovely tree and I definitely don't want to overzealous but it's huge and takes up a quarter of our small garden. I've checked with the council and it hasn't got a TPO. So you don't think it's neighbours responsibility but I should still ask their permission?

Clearly you also need to speak to your neighbour about your plans to massacre their lovely tree too.

Sorry - slightly tree sensitive here due to massive knob I live next to who has taken down dozens of TPO protected trees on our boundary

It took up a quarter of your garden when you bought the house too

Op, you’re legally entitled to cut back anything over hanging your garden. At your expense, it would be polite and prudent to inform them you’re hiring a tree surgeon. You need to offer them the cuttings back.

No they do not need to pay to cut the branches over your property.

However as others have said, a tree needs to be balanced, don’t massacre a beautiful old oak tree.

If I ask and they say no, can

You do not need to ask permission op, you’re legally entitled. Just let them know you’re having it done. Don’t ask permission.

All the best op

Thanks @Bluntness100 that's really helpful. I definitely don't want to ruin the tree, it's beautiful but the branches have grown significantly even in the 7 years we've been here. It just want the ones laying on our garage roof and dipping low into our garden removed.

Why did you move there if the tree was such an issue?

My friend paid 800 quid for a tree cut back..
..

You also shouldn’t do any tree work until September due to nesting birds

@AgathaX certain branches have grown significantly in the past seven years. If we're revert to what it was like when I moved in I'd be happy

@30degreesandmeltinghere yep that's what we are looking at, hence I want to check out who's responsible 😬

@HasaDigaEebowai yes I'm aware that we can't do it until Autumn/Winter now, which is fine

You are definitely entirely responsible for the cost.

@HasaDigaEebowai if we are responsible for the cost that's fine, just had no idea of the etiquette. All replies extremely helpful thanks

@craigsgirlfriend

It's a lovely tree and I definitely don't want to overzealous but it's huge and takes up a quarter of our small garden. I've checked with the council and it hasn't got a TPO. So you don't think it's neighbours responsibility but I should still ask their permission?

I think it's common courtesy to let them know you are cutting back branches over hanging into your garden

@HalzTangz yes I will let them know thanks

Please, if you must, wait until later in the year at least, if you can. An old oak tree like that would likely be supporting a lot of wildlife

An ancient oak tree deserves respect. It was there first.