Neighbour complained about Tree

[Mellowyellow222]

I moved into my new house last month. It has a lovely mature garden, which was a big part of why I bought here. It’s in a suburb with 1940s semi detached houses, all with good long gardens.

A relative of the neighbour behind me called at the door last night to complain about a tree in my garden. I have said to of course cut back overhanging branches, but her complaint was that it casts a shadow on her aunts patio.

I have checked google earth (because I can’t see into their garden) and this lady has built a part at the bottom of her garden so, at one point of the day, my tree will cast a shadow. The neighbour wants me to either cut down or reduce the tree.

I have always done as much as I can to accommodate neighbours, but this seems a step too far. This tree has clearly been there for forty or more years, and I assume the patio post dates that. I know I can’t dictate where in her garden this lady sits, but why does it have to be in the only spot in the garden that my tree casts a shadow?

I also assume she had asked the previous owners with no luck.

And the owner is elderly, and has been abroad since COVID hit.

I have put committed to doing anything, but am starting to think I might be being unneighbourly?

The tree is a beautiful ash tree.

I would be inclined to do nothing at all. If you build a patio under a tree then there will be a shadow! Not rocket science is it!
My neighbours have complained to me that a branch of one of my trees is hanging over their fence and they are concerned about damage to the fence. Because I like them, I will get my gardeners to pop round and sort it from their side too.

If you don’t want to lose the tree then it’s tough x don’t even have the conversation with someone who isn’t even your neighbour x enjoy yr beautiful tree x

Don't do anything. Enjoy your lovely tree.

Thank you

The tree is about five foot inside my boundary but it does overhang (but it’s high).

I wonder should I get a tree surgeon to remove any overhanging branches for them? Without reducing the height?

Well your neighbour didn't complain did she? She sent someone else to do her dirty work. If she's that bothered she can come and speak to you herself.

When did you last have it tended? Most trees need a prune every 4 years or so.

If they cut back the over hang will the tree be unbalanced?
I understand why you aren't keen to cut the tree down but I would be very wary of allowing them to prune just in case they go to far and do damage that'll force your hand.
If you can afford it get it professionally done to how you want it.

You know the old saying give an inch and they'll take a mile!

I would check for a Preservation Order with your local council.

That would be a marvellous 'get out!'

Liz I only moved in last month so o have never had it tended.

I don’t know of the previous owner had any work done to the trees.

Some people just don't like trees in back gardens. My DM unfortunately is one of them.
Leave it alone. Ask if the tree was there before her patio.

You're new, they are chancing it.

Tell her to sod off.

We had this issue, we own the tree.

We cut back every branch that overhung, when it was mentioned and I have lived in my house for years and know the neighbour I said I’m not cutting it down.

I do feel some sympathy, in my last house the neighbour had sycamore trees planted along the boundary and would yell at me every time I pruned an overhanging branch.

So I promised I would never be that neighbour!

How tall is the tree and how long are the gardens? Imo really massive trees don't belong in back gardens, but as it's yours you don't have to do anything you don't want to.

Get a tree surgeon to do a crown reduction if you are really bothered. But it'll make the tree more dense probably. Don't let them start on the tree themselves, they'll damage & destroy it by either hacking or getting cowboys to do the work.

Teflon for this tho, as there are some right tree1haters out there. The lovely mature gardens in the street behind me are all being destroyed by new people coming in.

Sycamores are different as they are rampant & spread.

It did not unbalance my tree.

The law is very specific on tree overhang, she can cut down any overhanging branches but should offer them them back to you. If you don’t want them then she has to dispose of them. We cut a branch with other neighbours permission off of their silver birch that was an issue In theory we didn’t need to ask, in practice it’s just good manners.

Have a read about ash dieback. There is a fair chance it will be gone in the next 5-10 years regardless. Might be a good chance to remove / replace.

The gardens are about 120 foot long. Not entirely sure about tree height, it is large, three stories maybe?

It’s not the biggest tree along the back gardens, there are huge every greens in most gardens, my ash tree is smaller than them.

This garden also has an evergreen hedge behind my tree, it’s probably about 20 foot high.

It’s all to do with light in gardens, The silver birches next door do cast some shadow at the end but they are really beautiful and I hope new neighbours don’t cut them down. We have a big laurel tree that does encroach on these new neighbour a little. It needs a trim but blackbirds live in it a lot of the year so I need to speak to new neighbour about access so we can preferably trim as it’s shaped in to a rather splendid ball.

And the owner is elderly, and has been abroad since COVID hit.

So the lady isn’t sitting in her garden

Tell the relative, if they knock again that when the lady returns you’ll see where she sits in the garden and perhaps help her find a sunny spot

I wouldn’t put a TPO on an ash tree, it will inevitably get Ash Die Back at some point and make it really difficult to cut down, if it doesn’t have it already of course. 95% of ash trees are expected to die in coming years.

If they have a 20ft evergreen hedge they can’t be too bothered about light!

They’re probably just chancing it because you’re new. Of course they could arrange to have any overhanging branches on their side cut, but they’re probably trying to get you to arrange/pay for it.

If it doesn’t need any other maintenance, I personally wouldn’t.

Thank you all. My last house was a little new build with a tiny, tiny garden.

Neighbour issues were mainly about anti social behaviour- loud parties in gardens that went on all night.

I was so excited about my grown up house, with big gardens. All neighbours so far have been lovely and welcoming. This issue has really taken the shine off my new house!

I live in a large city so will always have neighbours. And I can’t afford a detached house (which are £1m plus here).

They built the patio knowing full well where the tree was and where the shadow would be.

Reiterate that they are welcome to trim any overhanging branches that overhang onto the neighbours property but that as the tree was a large part of why you bought the property, you have no intention of removing or reducing it.

I would be polite but firm so they know exactly where you stand so as to avoid any further back and forth on the matter.