Neighbour cutting down huge old tree. Feel depressed

[FruHagen]

My neighbour is planning to cut down a very old, beautiful tree that sits in their garden and I feel so upset I really can't sleep. They want to build something there.

For context we live by the coast, their place is a small place only used by them in the summer and I live in my place all the time.

The tree is directly in front of my house, it's very prominent in the landscape like a key element of the view. I consider the main value of my house to be it's outlook and view. I look out at it everyday from every angle. It's growing very close to the edge of my garden and a small dirt path separates our two properties.

The tree is something I am very close to, I see it all year and watch it changing and follow the birds and animals that live there. It's large and probably 75 to 100 years old. The view from my place is of the coast and the tree is part of that view. Where I live is very dusty and sandy due to a big sand quarry in the area so the tree provides protection and reduces the exposure to the wind from the coast and the sand.

So I tried to talk to them and ask them if it was necessary and they said yes, they intend to cut it down and build something there.

So I am just sharing this story as it has affected me so much I am crying a lot and very upset, I didn't know who to talk to. It will change the view from my home fundamentally. It will be less beautiful here and this old tree that has stood there before us will be gone forever. Everything it gives to us and the habitat it gives to all other living things gone too. If anyone can relate please let me know.

You could offer to transplant it but would need specialist to do it- particularly at this time of year.

Instead of focusing on what you are losing, which is out of your control, perhaps try and shift to what you can control.

Can you plant the same variety of tree on your side of the fence in the same position? You can enjoy watching it grow and start to provide life, and a home to all the creatures there. It won’t be 75-100 years old, but it will be a start.

If you can afford it, you could pay for a more mature tree, and jump ahead a few years.

I'm so sorry, I would feel the same way. Can you object with the council?

I feel your pain in this; old lady who used to live next door had a few massive but beautiful trees at the bottom of the garden. Same as you I loved watching the birds and looking at the changing of the leaves.
When she died we got a new neighbour who had them surveyed and there was some rot on a few branches but mainly salvageable. He didn't want to pay tree surgeon prices so did the work himself and really hacked away at it. It's now looked dead for about 2 years sadly which is a shame as the birds no longer nest there.

Is there an option to plant something on your side of the boundary?

I hate the thought of trees being cut down and would never cut one down for any reason but, failing the offer to transplant it, I don’t think there is much else you can do.

Can you consider an emergency TPO?

It has to worth asking the council if this is in any way possible.

@Ineedaneasteregg

Can you consider an emergency TPO?

It has to worth asking the council if this is in any way possible.

That’ll go down well! They already have plans, it’s their land and tree and you can’t own a view.

Whilst I sympathise that you enjoy that tree and reside in the property all year round, they’ve discussed the plans with you when they didn’t have to. I’d plant my own tree, in my own garden.

Thanks for your responses. I think that it's too large to transplant and I will definitely plant another on my side.

I just don't know but I feel really really sad that it's going to be cut down. It's hit me very hard.

Large trees can be transplanted... and are quite often.

At least they have informed you. If you can find a way to move it, then do. If not, plant your own.

If this is a view you enjoy so much then I'd be asking what it is they're planning to build there.

I'm sorry OP and completely understand.
We lived in a house with a mature tree opposite that I enjoyed for many years. I came home from work one day to find council contactors half way through felling it, 'it's dead' he shouted as he was swinging his chain saw, yet there were budding leaves on the branches.
It really changed the look of the road, the character was gone and now I could see into the houses opposite.
The tree wardens couldn't do anything and even asked me if I could stake up any saplings arising from it but every time one grew, the council would strim it.
It affected me and I felt sad and angry every time I looked out of the window.
It is a sad reflection on the times we live in. Maintenance-free gardens, tree diseases, lucrative council contracts and building works are decimating ancient trees and woodlands and inviting flooding and open, miserable environments.
Sorry OP it's depressing, but you can only rely on what's in your own garden and try and support charities who protect woodland and green spaces.

Pretty sure you need permission to cut down a tree? Or is that just some local authorities? I've known of at least two cases where our local council stopped neighbours cutting down trees.

When the council was cutting down cherry trees lots of people in my area contacted their local councillor who raised an objection.

It might be worth contacting the council before you give up completely (sorry if you already have and I've missed that).

Other than that
I completely agree. I love trees. They have such an indelible impact on an area and outlook. I love watching the birds and animals who live in them too.

I came home from work last year to find the two , mature, beautiful cherry trees had been cut down and a lime tree next to them. We could see them from our windows and they are a feature in our small village. I was so shocked as were other people about three months later he put in for planning permission. He is the estate agent who bought a Garth and the house and said it was for his sister. She has never lived in it and he renovated the house and sold it separately.

Locals managed to get a TPO on the two oak trees but he cut another fir down beforehand. The TPO is causing a problem for access and 12 villagers objected to plans. After several attempts he had his new plan accepted then sold the land for £235 ,000. The new owner has submitted plans for one huge house so people are objecting. It isn’t over yet but the oaks have there TPO.
You could try for a TPO, they came out the next day here. I know how you feel I am really missing the cherry treess

That is sad. I think I would be tempted to speak to the council just to check there isn’t a TPO on it. Trees have prevented one of our neighbours being able to build.

The view. There are so many birds in it. The Thrushes are just coming back.

Thanks for all your lovely and helpful replies

And now

I’d be less concerned about the tree and more concerned about what they plan to build .

Have you checked it does not have a tpo? If you live in a Conservation area tree works need permission.

What are they building? Will it block your lovely view?

It looks a mess right now, is all that earth from the tree site, the tree isn't fully cut down so it's hard to know where they plan to build, is it by the decking.

I'm sorry Fru Hagen. It was beautiful

Oh no they've done it?
I'd be sad too. Can you plant something large in your view so that you're not constantly confronted by its absence? And something that you're going to love? It'll help I think. So sorry, I really get it.

I'd be worried about what's going up.

I would feel the same , i hope they don't think about doing it now with nesting birds !.
I can certainly see how' outsiders ' can so easily upset the locals !
I can't understand how some people attach so little importance to trees and nature in general .

I feel exactly the same OP. My next door neighbour is having an enormous beautiful tree cut down today. I felt so so sad watching them cutting it down, I watch birds in there every day.