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.

It's bird nesting season. You can't cut down hedges or trees at the moment. Is there a tree preservation order?

I'm sorry - I'd be upset too.

Sorry, ignore me. Just read end of thread and saw the tree has been cut down.

All you can do is make your own land as nature-friendly as possible.
💐

@middleager

Sorry OP, just seen your update. So sorry

You can have the roots contained with a root barrier.

I know this as a fabulous mature oak was cut down in a local street as it was impacting someone's garage. The tree warden told me he'd recommended containment of roots.

Bastard insurance company from away insisted on having it removed, also leaving a massive stump. I'm half-inclined to lay flowers on it, I'm so dad about it.

Quoted wrong post there, was referring to the cherry. I'd have divorced the OH if he'd done that...

I really don’t understand why people think it’s normal to be continuously crying and unable to sleep because someone chopped a tree down. Annoyed, pissed off, upset,sure, fleeting emotions, but all this I cried for weeks over a tree is not remotely normal and is really concerning.

Can I put a tree preservation order on a tree in my own garden .... to continue after I have sold the house?

@MiddlesexGirl

Can I put a tree preservation order on a tree in my own garden .... to continue after I have sold the house?

My understanding is you can apply for a TPO but it has to be assessed as whether it meets certain criteria as to whether it gets applied.

Thanks Stuffin. Will look into it. We are in a conservation area so you'd think trees would be sufficiently protected but apparently not.

And in answer to a pp - preferably far away from neighbour. Failing that somewhere where my boundaries are so well tree covered that I never see the neighbours house or garden!

That's so sad.

If there were nesting birds it was illegal to cut it, but quite frankly the tree surgeons don't give a shit about birds.

And yes, there is a thread after thread here, and advice is just cut it down and enjoy the sun and fuck everything else.

Yes, get planting.

Native trees, research what grows well where you are and get going.

I planted two willows four years ago, they seem to be doing well.

@MiddlesexGirl

Can I put a tree preservation order on a tree in my own garden .... to continue after I have sold the house?

You can apply for it to be assessed but it needs to meet specific criteria Ie would be detrimental to the public and local neighbour hood if it was removed. They are not just granted because you like it or planted it...

@sycamore54321

Yes it is sad when trees get felled and I can understand you feeling a little blue.

But for some reason on Mumsnet, there seems to be a stream of posts about neighbours making changes affecting trees, hedges, ponds etc and for the most part, the complaining party has nothing comparable on their own land. You have to accept that if you want to guarantee a pond or tree or whatever, then you need to put it on your own land and tend to it. While environmental protection needs to be respected, beyond that you can’t police your neighbours choices.

From your photo of your view, there seems ample space to plant one or more trees - for all you know, your neighbour could be on here complaining about the impact of your decking on ground-feeding birds or whatever.

I think crying over it is an extreme reaction and you will feel better if you turn your attention to those things that you can control. Plant a tree. Make your garden as bird-friendly as possible with baths and feeders and shrubs that they like. Or whatever else it is within your control. You can’t expect to control the view in all directions from your own land.

This, it’s always a feeling of entitlement about someone else’s property.

And some terrible misinformation on here. You don’t need to call the council to check for tpos. It takes two mins on line. And of course uou can cut trees down during nesting season. Do people really think there are months of the year it’s illegal for tree surgeons to work?

If you don't own the land that a tree is on and it doesn't have a TPO then it's not wise to get too attached. Plant your own trees. I would really urge people to do this rather than rely on other people to maintain the treescape for them.

Do people really think there are months of the year it’s illegal for tree surgeons to work?

Well, yes.

Do you think it's right for birds nests to be destroyed and chicks to be put through the chipper?

Oh op, I’m so sorry. I’m in a relationship with an ancient oak tree that is part of my daily walk. She is so beautiful in every season and I look forward to seeing her every day. I don’t know the owners but I hope nothing ever happens to my favorite tree.

The removal of certain trees in my neighbourhood has absolutely been detrimental to the area. We have a sea of concreted over front gardens where before there were lovely cherries, magnolias, robinias, and more.

I've just been outing hugged my trees

Yep, I had a decent tree surgeon here recently and he was saying he's refusing jobs as it's already too late. We only just got our tree trimmed in time.

There are a lot of unmarked vans about here with guys wielding chainsaws...it really is illegal to cut down trees with nesting birds.

Bird law

@3orangekissesfromkazan

I've just been outing hugged my trees

Aw, yes, indeed.

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

Do people really think there are months of the year it’s illegal for tree surgeons to work?

Well, yes.

Do you think it's right for birds nests to be destroyed and chicks to be put through the chipper?

Well it’s not illegal for them to work and of course I don’t want bests desteoyed and birds put through a chipper, what a ridiculous question.

This thread surprised me. I expected people to react negatively to the idea of someone crying over a tree, it seems the majority are on side OP.

I'm sorry the tree was removed

It’s illegal for them to work if they disturb nests.

And far too many of them turn a blind eye to nests and cut down healthy trees.

"And of course uou can cut trees down during nesting season. Do people really think there are months of the year it’s illegal for tree surgeons to work?"

Not just because you want to you can't, it's not just about birds nesting in that particular tree either. You sound very ignorant on the matter.

"Well it’s not illegal for them to work"

No but they tend not to do most of their usual work (including felling the tree in the OP) due to the fact that they should assume birds will be nesting in season.