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Original poster

Neighbours' tree - who should pay?

41 replies

WantedtobecalledDaisy · 30/03/2019 16:06

Hi, I am building up courage to speak to a neighbour about their holly tree which blocks all the light at the back of our garden. It has grown so much over the last few years that it really affects our light now. I am going to write a note because I prefer to give them time to think about it than to spring it on them and expect an immediate answer. My question is - would you offer to contribute to the cost or do you think we should offer to pay the whole cost? Part of me thinks we should pay because it's us who wants it done but another part of me thinks it is part of general maintenance of their garden and trees and it's reasonable to split the cost. What do you think?

OP posts:
TheGrey1houndSpeaks · 30/03/2019 16:10

You should certainly offer to cover the cost, but they have no actual obligation to reduce the size of their trees to suit the neighbours, so they are within their rights to refuse.

daisypond · 30/03/2019 16:14

What are you talking about? What cost? If it's their tree in their garden, they don't have to do anything at all, and why should they?

daisypond · 30/03/2019 16:15

I meant to add, if it's growing into your garden space, then that's a different matter.

Aardvarkitsabloodyaardvark · 30/03/2019 16:18

Op there is no harm asking and maybe offering half of the cost. The problem is unless they keep trimming it back you will be paying for trims yearly.

Original poster
WantedtobecalledDaisy · 30/03/2019 16:38

I know they don't have to do anything at all. I'm not suggesting they have a legal obligation or that we have any rights to make them do it. If they don't want to cut it at all, then of course that's up to them and I'll leave it at that. Most people though do care about their neighbours I think and really it doesn't make much difference to them as it's right at the back of their garden. I'm certainly aware of the impact of what we do to our garden on our neighbours. Anyway, my question was just whether we should offer to cover the whole cost upfront or see if they want to share the cost.

OP posts:
Original poster
WantedtobecalledDaisy · 30/03/2019 16:39

Sorry just to be clear - I'm asking if they will consider thinning or reducing the height of the tree. Not cutting the tree down.

OP posts:
TheQueef · 30/03/2019 16:40

Why would they pay towards something they don't need and don't even know they want yet?

Iggly · 30/03/2019 16:41

If our neighbours wanted to us to reduce a tree in our garden then we would when we were next pruning it. Unless they wanted it gone then no way!

Seniorschoolmum · 30/03/2019 16:42

Well, they shouldn’t do anything this time of year because of nesting birds.

You have until autumn to raise the issue tactfully.

TheGrey1houndSpeaks · 30/03/2019 16:47

But if the tree’s size doesn’t make any difference to them and there’s a potential (very large, if it’s done properly) cost involved, why would they pay it?
It’s a problem to you, not them.

slipperywhensparticus · 30/03/2019 16:48

Holly trees get thinned out around Christmas

Original poster
WantedtobecalledDaisy · 30/03/2019 17:08

OK fair enough thanks - that's why I was looking for opinions Smile

OP posts:
Penguinpandarabbit · 30/03/2019 17:19

I would agree with sending note. If it was my holly tree - and we have two - I would pay if I was planning on doing work anyway and had money available then. If I didn't think it was needed it would be nice to be offered 50-50 though I would pay as my tree. Are you in a conservation area, we are and that complicates things as need to give 6 weeks notice and get approval. One of our trees I expect takes some light from neighbour and I do feel bad about that but we have lots of other work and costs to do this year so planning on next year.

DustyDoorframes · 30/03/2019 18:03

Crikey, I'm glad I don't live next door to some of the PP!
OP, if you can afford it I'd definitely offer to put something towards it, or to help if it's a diy job.

Dottierichardson · 30/03/2019 18:30

Your neighbours are not required to their tree because of your light. The only possible issue for them would be if it collapsed and damaged other property and that could have been prevented by maintaining its health. However, in most cases it looks as if damage would be covered by the other property-holder's insurance. If branches grow out over a neighbour's house then the neighbour can trim it back. We cut ours back as well as overhanging branches that cross into neighbour's garden when we have ours trimmed, but we're not obligated to, but as there's no extra cost because they're being trimmed anyway then it's a courtesy to the neighbours.

But your comments about not expecting an immediate reply suggest you think you have the right to have them trim their tree which you don't. If they want to trim it fine, if they agree to trim it as favour to you then you should pay. But it may be that they like other things about having a large tree such as screening, breaking up sound/noise, the tree might be subject to a tree preservation order in which case they may not want the hassle of applying for permission to trim it - usually done by the tree surgeon and adds a lot to the price. Also as others have mentioned it is illegal to trim trees during nesting season if birds nest there, and for many trees dangerous to trim during growth periods as can actually make a tree unstable, as parasites etc can get into the wounds and kill it.

You say it's at the back of your garden it may be they like the privacy that screening affords, we have a very large tree at the back of our garden, without it would be looking into neighbour's back windows, and feel more exposed. We prefer to look at a tree then pebble-dashing and bathrooms, trampolines or whatever else is behind it.

Voldethought · 30/03/2019 20:09

Gosh, I'm glad I don't live next door to some of the PP!

If a neighbour asked me politely to thin a tree as it was blocking their light I would do it - because it's courtesy and I like to have good neighbourly relationships - For all I know, I might need help from them in the near future. If they offered to go halves on me pruning MY tree I would be delighted.

Agree with the PP who said to wait until Autumn because of nesting birds!

longearedbat · 30/03/2019 20:44

Is it overhanging your property op?

Mummyshark2018 · 30/03/2019 20:51

Sorry jumping on, we have a similar dilemma with two huge evergreens. They are both very tall which does block sunlight. Are we allowed to trim the branches that overhang in our garden?

Penguinpandarabbit · 30/03/2019 20:58

I think if you are in a conservation area no-one can do anything to a tree without permission from council which takes 6 weeks. If not, and there's no tree preservation order on tree, then would have thought you could cut down anything in your garden. However, I would strongly recommend consulting neighbours first and getting agreement.

Janella · 30/03/2019 21:07

OP, our neighbours made a similar request to us a couple of years ago as our tree blocked their light. They said they would arrange it and pay half. We were more than happy to go with it; neighbourly relations are important to us and we could afford to pay half. Them arranging the whole thing was fab too, I would have been a bit miffed to have another job added to my to-do list.

You could approach it with them as you are having some gardening work done on date X and would it be ok to thin the tree a little while they're at it? (Maybe get a quote first to decide if half/full payment)

wowfudge · 30/03/2019 21:53

Whatever you do, consider talking to them rather than sending a note or letter.

Bluntness100 · 30/03/2019 21:57

I have a similar issue with a neighbours hedge, however I am simply going to text them and ask if they mind reducing the height a couple of feet, and I will happily pay for it, and if they would rather not reduce it , then that's fine too and to forget I asked.

I'd recommend that approach.

Bluntness100 · 30/03/2019 21:59

Sorry yes, and to add I will organise it, as I know rhe guys that cut their hedges, so that will be in the text.

Time40 · 30/03/2019 22:00

Whatever you do, consider talking to them rather than sending a note or letter

Yes, I agree. I would find getting a letter like that unpleasant. I'd much prefer it if my neighbour just talked to me.

horsinaround · 30/03/2019 22:04

Wow really surprised at some of the PP. I agree with Voldethought, many neighbours will want to stay in good spirit with their neighbours. Our old neighbour had a large eucalyptus tree which blocked light from another neighbour. The other neighbour would start nicely mentioning the issue every couple of years and our neighbour would duly trim it and bear the cost themselves.it. If your neighbours are anything like either ourselves our our old neighbours it will just be one of a long list of jobs we mean to do but never quite get around to !