Feel sad that neighbour cut down trees

[Eatingbiscuits]

Woke up this morning to one of our neighbours having a row of trees cut down in their garden. Beautiful tall evergreen mature trees which were home to squirrels and birds. Not a single tree or bush left, they've cleared their entire garden. I saw a squirrel run along the boundary as they were cutting down the trees and it broke my heart. We live on the outskirts of a city and this was a little bit of nature for us and we would love watching the squirrels come and go and listening to the birds in the trees. I know there's nothing I can do about it because it's their garden but I feel so sad. Would other people feel the same or am I overreacting? Any suggestions at what I can plant in my garden instead to replace them? Although it would take decades to grow trees like that again.

Yep, we removed ours too. They cost us an absolute fortune to keep in check every year. We have loads of other mature trees in our garden that I have no intention of touching, but I don’t really see why I should keep the leylandi that someone else planted once upon a time when they’re a massive inconvenience to us.
I’ve planted lots of lovely plants and bushes in their place.

Grey squirrels or red squirrels?🐿️ if grey, ah well. If red, may curses fall upon the neighbours’ heads.

Greys are vermin and have to be killed if they’re injured for eg.

I don’t feel the least bit sentimental about greys. If it is a grey - which it most likely is - it’s not a poor little squirrel.

did immense damage to my loft and was expensive to get rid of.

If you want to plant trees on your own garden you should plant them well away from the boundary otherwise you are forcing your neighbour to have the overhang in their garden. People plant ridiculously inappropriate trees in small gardens sometimes. Some evergreen are awful. I cut down several large ones in my garden when I moved in. I replanted with native trees (well away from the boundary) Some evergreens are awful trees, they are ugly, they just sit there like a solid dark block of green that doesn’t let any light through. They look great in the right setting like a huge country park but not in your average garden.

Yup, selfish neighbours often plant at boundaries so they’re not impacted by loss of light, falling leaves and other debris etc, but don’t give a toss about how it impacts their neighbours.

I do agree.

It was a slightly tongue in cheek response- if the OP wants the cost/maintenance/garden impact that having big trees can have, they are welcome to look at growing some of their own as opposed to criticising the neighbours for getting rid of theirs.

@ZZTopGuitarSolo Wow that sounds lovely, Maine looks beautiful when I watch Maine Cabin Masters

I’ve had them for years, they make great privacy borders and host lots of wildlife, don’t need to maintain.

But you weren't talking specifically about grey squirrels were you.
You said "I do wish people would stop over sentimentalising nature."

Some lovely film of squirrels going about their business for people who enjoy nature.
www.instagram.com/p/DeWtBRdvKTV/?hl=en

You can enjoy nature and also observe that nature can be destructive.

Someone once described squirrels to me as rats with good PR.

Don’t forget ivy. Vital for late pollen, my ivy is absolutely covered this year and is still heaving with different varieties of bees and other pollen seekers.

@RedSpotTeaPot beautiful little things, so intelligent, they have a walnut sized brain, the same size as a cats. Very underestimated and maligned creatures by people who have not studied them. Also they did not ask to come here, blame the Victorians for that.

Our neighbours have done this - because of how odd plot is it's nearer our house - but honestly suspect it's too close to their as well as it's a rapid grower. It also overshawed a nature garden loved by bees butterfly and hedgehogs I'd put in that done so badly sicne it started blocking light I've just now dug it up.

Other side there are no plants - but they've just put in a massive "temp" building that blocks light and the breeze between the building - though they can open side and top - we make it feel like right next to our garden is a window.

It's meaning I've having to do a lot of gardening at the moment in reponse.

At bottom garden there is a massive landi hedge - where rats seems to be - they get annoyed we refused to pay to help keep it in check - other two neigbours do. If it was cut down we would get overlooked but I'd just plant accordingly - silver birch or beach or something in our garden.

Don’t disagree, but you’re wrong to link my comments to your post on two points:

1. the species mentioned in the OP are non native and play a significant part in species decline themselves.
2. “Fired up” is not the same as sentimentalism. You won’t win any arguments by being sentimental and talking about the cute fluffy wuffy bunnies. You’ll just be viewed an idiot and by extension your argument, even if valid, will be disregarded.

OP hasn’t returned since day 1 and hasn’t answered any questions. Typical engagement farming post.

I do find it so odd when people get teary about a confused grey squirrel, yet feel it's 'despising nature' if people are upset that the 100ft leylandii has blocked the sun from their garden, or that a branch has dropped on their car.

If you love nature so much, maintain your trees.

trees also help with pollution and block out road noise to some extent.

i had a neighbour who put down fake grass and got rid of the garden, such a shame, glad I’m not there any longer

If the trees are dead anyway, then good to get them away. But unless causing a structural issue then no, they are beautiful things. I could not cut down a tree for the sake of it. They give shade in the heat, a home to wildlife.
Some people are I am afraid unable to appreciate or care for nature.

Mine did this. Both sides. Now I can also see the road, where before it was hidden by trees. It’s noisier too.

Yes - but this one doesn't block any road noise it's in the wrong poistion and there are many other trees and plants that could help with polution. Down the end of the road there a massive ancient forest remant - which has hundred or more likely thousands of native trees in - I image that will be doing a hell of a lot more for polltion and wild life than the non native fast growing tree planted at the boundary here.

I haven't put fake grass in - I'm currently putting in more beds for plants and native hedging out back and front on brick drive pervious owners put in putting in raised bed and have taken up decking out back previous owner put in to plant clover lawn.

All their tree does is present poential risks to buildings and block light to a wildlife garden so badly I've now dug it up.

It really isn't a choice between a poorly planted non native tree that has huge potential to cause strucural and light issues to both houses and plastic grass.