Does anyone know the rules about chopping bits off your neighbour's tree?

[iwouldgoouttonight]

We have a magnolia in our garden which shades our neighbour's patio a bit - a couple of years ago (just after we moved in) they asked us if they could pay for someone to prune it for us so it didn't block so much sun. We said fine but we couldn't afford to contribute to the cost. They did it and it was a really bad job and now the tree is a horrible shape. And since then they have been chopping off all the branches that go past the fence onto their side and now it looks even worse - I loved the tree when we moved in and now its just all lopsided with bare branches pointing out all over the place.

I suspect its the case that you are allowed to chop off anything that hangs over into your garden, but what happens if all the hacking at it is damaging the tree?

Yes, that's right, anything that hangs over their property they can cut.

Not only that - but they can give you the cuttings to dispose of.

Anybody know about how to get rid of a tree in a conservation area?

I believe they are allowed to cut it, but are supposed to offer the branches back to you as it is your property!

In fact, they have to return the cuttings to you, that is the law.

Conservation area tree's...you'll need to phone your local council though not sure which department.

Thanks, I thought that might be the case.

If you have a tree in a conservation area or with a TPO on it then you need to speak to your local council. You need a form of planning permission to prune or get rid of the tree completely. You must have a v good reason for wanting to get rid of it completely. It is a totl PTA.

Not sure what they'd say if I went round and asked for the branches back though!

You will need to speak to the Tree Preservation Officer at your local council

Trees in Consevation Areas are protected once they reach a certain girth - can't remember the specifics now though

I second the PITA of consevation area trees. My parents have several silver birch trees in their garden with orders on them and they have had many battles with the council over pruning/removing them even when they were diseased/dead and threatening to fall onto the house. If they remove one they have to replant an similar size tree (which is ridiculous expecting them to fork out for a mature 20+foot tree!)

Just thinking of buying a house but has a mature maple very close to the house. Blocking out light and can only imagine where the roots are.

Friends have discouraged me from having an accident with the tree whilst armed with chainsaw.

COV, our trees at the front of the house are enormous (85ft+) and have TPO's on them. Having spoken to the total jobsworth at the council we have decided to get a no nonsense tree surgery compnay in who deal with everything from obtaining permissions, appealing (if nec) and carrying out the required work. I hope that they are as good as the chap who recommended then says they are !

The only thing I'm worried about is that if they do removed the trees completely that the roots will be so enormous and widespread that my house and those of my neighbours will sink into a big hole made by the shrinkage !

How does the TPO man know what you have in your back garden anyway? Would he not have had to trepass to find out?

You would be surprised how many neighbours seem to delight in shopping people to the council over illegally pruning trees (there are some real curtain twitchers around where my parents live!)