Neighbour wants us to take out some palm trees

[27Bumblebees]

We moved into our house about 3 years ago, and there were some very well established palm trees (4 in all) in our back garden. We have a lovely ocean view, being up on a hill. Our neighbours have been in touch asking us if we can remove the palm trees because as they've grown, they've obstructed their view of (some of) the sea and they think it will lower the value of their property.

I like the palms and they are still growing so the view will return once they get a bit taller.

What's the general etiquette here, is it my responsibility to increase my neighbour's peppery value? Surely not?

Leave the palm trees, you like them.

There’s no etiquette, if you like them and they’re not causing structural harm then they stay.

How big is your garden and how close are they to the houses? I can imagine 4 palm trees take up quite a lot of room.
If you're on good terms with them perhaps offer to go round and view it from their place, then you'll have a better idea of how they look/affect them.

You are under no obligation.
We have palm trees and we trim and remove the lower leaves to let more light in but it does depends on the type of palm.

Do they overhang the neighbours garden? Or the roots disturb their fence/ garden in any way?

If not, then at most I might trim them, but I would not be taking them down.

No, they don’t have a right to a view.

If they are the skinny/tall type palms then as they grow the foliage will go above their view line.

We have a good sea view but would have an amazing sea view if everyone ibetween us and the sea cut their trees down. Wouldn't dream of asking someone to cut down a tree to improve a view.

Are you in the UK? We have palms in our front garden,SE UK,10 minutes from the sea,so no where near the neighbours. Do yours encroach over their garden at all,if not,hard luck, for them.

No way would I be removing my trees to help them boost the value of their house. In any case, I doubt that it would make a difference to price, or even saleability, if there is still a partial view of the sea. The trees have obviously been there for some time in order to be well established, and they have not objected to them previously, so there is no reason at all to remove them now. They are being ridiculous as well as unreasonable.

Well obviously you leave your property as it is on your property.. Pandering to this nonsense won't stop at your trees if you agree to it imo.

Palm trees and ocean views make me wonder if you're not in the UK? If overseas I have no idea on what legislation might exist.
If in the UK, if the trees are not causing physical damage, you are under no obligation to do anything.
I would imagine that most palm trees are pretty hard to trim - they're either there or they're not.

Keep the trees, they can suck it up 🤬

Thanks for all the replies. I'm in Australia, so similar legal system and social "rules" to some extent. And dh plus the wife of the neighbour are British so I figured I'd gauge it on here.

Big back garden, room enough for all the trees to be away from their fence. There are a lot of trees in the way of my perfect view, but I find they add to it! I think there was beef with our previous owners (they were a bit odd I've come to realise) so possibly a hangover from that time.

Also, their blossoming tree drops hundreds of little flowers into our pool but it never occurred to me to ask them to remove it!

They're nice people, just think that if we do this, what will be next?!

So they've chosen to emigrate to a hot / sunny climate and are objecting to palm trees 🤔.

I've got a gorgeous sea view. New neighbours moved in and decided to start planting huge bushes that obscured their view as well as mine.

It's taken some time but they've finally agreed that the whole point of living here is the view and they've trimmed the offending bushes right back.

Personally, I'd compromise. Maybe don't go the whole hog but just enough to keep relations good. Mention the blossom too. I'd hate to think I was blocking my neighbours view or filling their pool with shite.

So, talk to them as I suggested and offer to come look. By doing so you're not agreeing to take them down but we cannot judge on here how bad they really affect them.

And this way you show you're willing to discuss rather than just no.

Keeping a good relationship with neighbours is a benefit to everyone.

Or say while we are talking gardens when is best they come clear out your pool? Smile and walk away.

Or promise to have stern words with the palm tress about being awkward and blocking your view...