Neighbour request to cut down trees

durtybit

the_syco wrote: »

Consult a qualified tree surgeon, and consider that the trees were put between the neighbours for a reason. Unless the neighbour said they'd give you money, don't even think about doing it. And if they did, ensure you have that in writing before you get someone to do the job, in case the neighbours forget to ever pay up.

or have them fork out to the tree surgeon on the day. If you agree it must be on your terms

Dog of Tears

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

Nothing worse than somebody's semi D looking into your back garden. Privacy is worth its weight in gold.

I disagree - I think people who have large trees in their gardens which block sunlight from other people's gardens are selfish in the extreme.

An attitude like this...

stimpson wrote: »

I think my desire for privacy trumps his desire for light.

quite frankly, stinks.


You don't have to be best friends with your neighbours, but it's always preferable to get along with the people who make up your local community.

A bit of compromise can go a long way - there is no doubt a solution you can come to with your neighbours that you are both happy with.

Invite them around for a coffee and discuss it with them like mature adults.

Polo_Mint

OP You also need to think if it was your neighbours trees blocking the sunlight into your Garden.

Would you think " It would be nice to have a neighbour who is understanding and trimmed the trees so I can also enjoy the sun"

That said. You could tell them you are willing to to TRIM them to an acceptable height but can not afford to do so.

Put the ball in their court while extending the Olive branch

the_syco

Dog of Tears wrote: »

Invite them around for a coffee and discuss it with them like mature adults.

The neighbours already popped around to ask about it. The OP needs to get a tree surgeon to pop out and give a quote, and to say how much can be chopped off the top, as too much and the tree could die.

Then to tell the neighbour how much it'd cost, and see if the neighbours pay, or just demand the OP pay for it themselves.

BoatMad

if they are deciduous trees, please dont cut them down , fir trees are just weeds however

Squatman

Whosthis wrote: »

The height you can cut them to will really depend on the height of the tree, you can remove about one third of the tree and it will remain alive and healthy, any more and it will die off.

well is that a fact/???:eek:

evergreen trees may be the case, but deciduous trees will take a good chopping without dying

Chev2010

Personally I'd get someone in to take the top off or cut them down and plant something that won't grow so big again (but gives you privacy!) to prevent this issue in a few years. You mentioned no other neighbours have large trees in the area and those that did cut them down, so your neighbour isn't alone in wanting some light in their garden/house.

The attitude of "it's my house and I'll do what I want" that some people mention is incredibly selfish, personally I'd love to see some form of guidelines/laws introduced to help people in similar situations where the neighbour doesn't care about others.

I've been on the receiving end of large trees soaking up all the sun while I sit in a dark garden that should be bathing in the sun, it's a horrible feeling - horrible!

durtybit

Stinicker wrote: »

I know someone who had trouble with trees like this and disagreeable neighbour, poured a few gallons of somesort of weedkiller which failed the trees one time when the neighbour was out. Around a year later the neighbour had to chop down the entire leylandii hedge as it was all dead.

Wouldn't look suspect at all.

bjork

My neighbours tree fell and hit my house last year in the winds. Damaged the roof tiles, gutters and cracked a window. Cost him more to fix that than it would have to look after his trees.


All nice and neatly kept this year

Markcheese

durtybit wrote: »

Wouldn't look suspect at all.

Wouldn't matter if it did look suspect- proving it'd be the issue-
Just as an after if your neighbours trees were on the boundary fence , can you prune / trim on your side of the line - and would that include the roots - ?

The_Morrigan

Folks you're skirting over the line here now. As a reminder we do not allow discussion of any illegal activity, willful damage of another person's property is just that.

There is a new charter in place - I suggest you read it.

OBaoghil.7

Baby01032012 wrote: »

We bought our home last April. We have a medium size garden with very tall trees at the end of the garden. We like the trees, more for the privacy they give. They are our trees in that they are inside our border with the garden behind us. There is a small fence directly behind these trees that defines the border. None of our neighbouring gardens seem to have such tall trees. Some neighbours cut their own trees down last year.
The neighbours who's garden backs onto ours called to our door recently. They want to come to some sort of arrangement to cut down the trees. They say that the trees are blocking sunlight into their garden and their kitchen is overshadowed. As I said we quiet like the height of the trees and privacy they give and before their approach had no plans to do anything to the trees.
What would be a reasonable response to their request.

Many thanks.

Just something to bear in mind. What is the aspect of the trees? It seems the trees were planted as a screen and could be protecting your house from the prevailing wind and rain and if so you will notice a considerable fall in temperature should you cut them down. You don't say what trees they are. If they are deciduous trees they would have been planted a long time ago but if they are leylandii they may not have been planted very long ago. Leylandii causes more neighbour disputes than any other subject.
Your solicitor (during conveyancing) would have informed you of any legal dispute with the previous occupants had there been one.
You will no doubt want to enjoy good neighbourly relations but don't have them removed until you have checked out the purpose of them being planted there. If it is just for your privacy rather than for weather protection then I am sure a compromise on height could be reached and your neighbour could help by paying for the work to be done to your instructions. Good luck

runawaybishop

Markcheese wrote: »

Wouldn't matter if it did look suspect- proving it'd be the issue-
Just as an after if your neighbours trees were on the boundary fence , can you prune / trim on your side of the line - and would that include the roots - ?

No, you cant prune the roots as you cannot do anything that can harm the tree. You can prune the overhang up to arms reach though, and then dump the trimmings in their garden.

Park Royal

Not knowing all the factors.......as a preference I prefer light to darkness

I prefer ornamental trees to pine type trees.....

I usually prefer helping a neighbour than not helping....

but its no harm to go around to the otherside to see if there is a genuine

cause for change ! I suspect you know there are grounds for the neighbour to

ask for a change !

Dr_Bill

While I am not a tree hugger, I would take the neighbours request under consideration and then assess if the tree/tree pose a risk to my own property or the neighbours property. Your best bet is to ask for a quotation from a specialist tree surgeon. I had a similar issue with a neighbour and used a reputable company. I would recommend you ask any company to furnish you with copies of valid certificates of insurance for your own protection which they will be happy to do so prior to commencing any work for your own piece of mind and protection.