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.

I don't know for certain what they are building but I will be back here crying if it's two storey.

You should know. For a 2 storey structure they will need planning permission and will have had to display a letter telling neighbours what they’re proposing and how they can comment on the consultation process before it’s decided on.

I never knew about it being illegal to cut down trees at certain times , I had about 10 trees cut down when we moved in the company doing it never mentioned it .

If it wasn't nesting season it'll have been ok then most likely.

That’s why the industry needs regulating and monitoring.

There are so many cowboys operating with no regard to any rules and regulations.

* They didn't actually tell anyone in the neighbourhood, I saw them cutting the branches yesterday and asked them what they were doing. They told me then, if I hadn't asked then we wouldn't have been notified.*

^Why should they? It is their tree! OP sound way too involved. Her reaction is disproportionate and weird.

@drpet49

* They didn't actually tell anyone in the neighbourhood, I saw them cutting the branches yesterday and asked them what they were doing. They told me then, if I hadn't asked then we wouldn't have been notified.*

^Why should they? It is their tree! OP sound way too involved. Her reaction is disproportionate and weird.

A tree that size needs council permission to remove, in some parts of the country. Maybe not all.

@drpet49

I don’t think her reaction is disproportionate and weird. I would feel the same.

We can’t all just go around chopping down huge; established and old trees that give us oxygen.

If it doesn’t have a TPO it can go. Any size of tree can go. It’s a treeless landscape so plant one in your garden. It wasn’t a great tree. Why not work with the council and establish a community orchard? Or find a public space that needs trees. Or plant trees on your own land - watch your foundations.

You need to contact the council about the building near you anyway by the sound of it so sound out a community planting scheme - or via the parish council.

Yes. We can chop down the odd tree without a TPO. Planning insists on some trees being retained. Look at what the planning permission says!

@FruHagen

I would firstly try to establish what your neighbours are intending to build and then decide the tree - I do not know your budget and what the conditions are ( climate etc ) but a friend of mine bought a silver birch of a mature size and it blocked off most of the back of their ( much smaller back garden ) , I think if nearer ( because perspective ) you won't need such a big tree but I would see what neighbours are building first and then see if you need a low and wide tree or a taller one.

Honestly I would not worry - as others have said if it isn't on your land then ( TPOs aside ) you can't do a thing about it - you can plant a tree in your garden then more under your control

This is a temporary blip. If you are there for the long term - I bet you will do something lovely & in time not worry about it.

I don't think a view is a legal thing - but then I am old enough I bought an old house & next door ( the woman had lived there for close on 100 years ) had a sign saying "ancient lights" - not sure that is legal either but apparently a thing back in the day .

Best wishes OP - I honest don't think there is much that can happen to spoil that view short of a tower block

Wish you well

I’m afraid I also think this sudden influx of posters sobbing for days and unable to sleep with a sense of entitlement over their neighbours’ gardens is weird.

If you want a view of a nice tree, plant your own. And a lot of posters really need to educate themselves on how TPOs work. You can’t just call the council and demand one. There are also not TPOs on every single tree, especially in private gardens.

@Raxer26A

I never knew about it being illegal to cut down trees at certain times , I had about 10 trees cut down when we moved in the company doing it never mentioned it .

It’s not, it’s only if there are nesting birds, and even then you can still do it unless it’s certain types of protected birds.

Honestly there’s some nonsense being posted on here.

It's sad because it's a living thing. I have a beautiful view from one of my windows down the valley to a cathedral. Looks SO pretty with its spires shrouded in morning mist.....unfortunately inbetween is a plot and the owner has sold it with planning permission for a house. Hopefully it'll be a beautiful house, not much else I can do about it

Weeds are living things too, and most folks are happy to kill them.

That's so sad. I totally understand that you are upset.I would be too. Sending hugs.

Were there birds in there do you think OP ?
I feel your pain. What a shitty thing to do to a beautiful old tree.

What species was it ?

Aww I completely understand how you feel. Our neighbour had the most beautiful weeping willow - bloomin pain for leaves but just glorious and full of birds and squirrels. New neighbours moved in next door to him and complained that it shaded their garden too much, as did another tree in the next garden. Over the last two years - both the problem trees seem to have died very quickly - a friendly horticulturist has indicated that they look like classic cases of poisoning.
I now look out on dead branches, and if its windy have to keep the kids indoors. Yes the neighbour whose garden its in should dispose of it - but I understand he is angry and wants the inconvenience of falling branches to piss off the other neighbour for as long as possible...
Argh... and breathe...