Garden security

[GardenGuardian]

Have NC’ed for this as it could be outing!

I’ve lived in my house for 10+ years and there’s a lovely big tree at the end of my garden, which backs onto farmers fields. About 4 years ago a couple moved in next door, they rented the house for a year then bought it from the landlord. Once they’d bought it he started hassling me about chopping the tree down, which I refuse to do. It’s not dangerous, he just doesn’t like it because it drops leaves, which they must have discovered while they were renting but decided to buy anyway. (That’s the only reason I mention it)

I was working overseas during covid and he kept mithering about it so I said he could cut any branches which were overhanging the fence, and he’s done that, no dramas. However, I’ve now been back a few months and have discovered a whole load of copper nails hammered into the tree on that side. Obviously can’t prove who did it, soI’ve spoken to a tree specialist and been advised to remove them carefully, but I also now feel like I need some kind of security camera on my back garden, as whoever it was can only have done it from inside my garden and I’m worried they may try again. I can lock my side gate but it would be easy enough to climb the fence from the fields. Any recommendations for something that can just sit in a window and use the wifi?

If I were you, I'd speak to the tree officer at your local council about it. Tell them about the tree, and that you think that someone is deliberately trying to kill it. Is the tree yours?

Thanks for the suggestion, will give them a call. Yes, it’s in my garden.

What shits.

A wildlife camera should work, no? Runs on batteries, motion-triggered, uses an Sd card for storage. The cheaper ones you have to brake the card out to look at the images, but the slightly more expensive ones you can link to from your phone.

You could also send a letter 'to all neighbours' warning them of the tree attacker, and for them to be on their guard. That you have informed the tree officer, who has informed the police. (A sort of warning to your new neighbour. )

The neighbour in question doesn’t have any trees, just a bar, with a big tv in it, hot tub, swimming pool, giant trampoline, fake grass and a whole lot of flashing lights… That’s probably why he’s grumpy about leaves! I haven’t yet suggested that if he has a problem with nature he shouldn’t have bought a rural property surrounded by it. Or mentioned that their kids are constantly throwing things into my garden but I haven’t said they should get rid of them…

Yikes. Definitely consider a camera then, they sound tricky.

Yep, he'll have to vacuum the leaves. Tosser.

Definitely cameras with motion sensors, Ring/Blink, that sort of thing.

DH suggests at least two cameras, one exceedingly well concealed, watching the others, so you will also get good footage of him disabling a camera. It’s easier to get the police worked up about damage to man-made things.

A trail camera (wildlife camera) can be left outside (so closer view, easier to position), can be triggered by movement, and can photograph in the dark.

15 nails removed, working on getting cameras up. Good idea from your DH @MereDintofPandiculation, thank you. I will try and angle two to cover each other but not include any of next door’s garden so he can’t say I’m filming his kids…

I wonder if a strong motion sensor security light aimed at the tree might help. People are less likely to do underhand stuff in a glaring light and it might alert you as well if anyone comes back to try again.

I have an excellent solar one from solarbee which works even throughout winter - apparently it was designed for the Uk so maximises the power from the weak winter sun in some way.