Dangerous tree next door

ninja 12 · 20-11-2017 12:39PM #1

Hi ,
Hopefully this is in the right section .

The house next door to me is currently vacant .

The owner rents it out sometimes and doesn't seem to be too bothered about the condition of either the house or the grounds and there is a row of leylandii type trees about 50 -60 feet high along our boundary (on their side) .

During Storm Ophelia , one of these trees was severely damaged (split in two) and is only being held up by the tree next to it - it is leaning heavily on the tree beside it .

It is leaning towards the boundary .

When it does fall (and it will ) it will more than likely take down a large section of our wall (20-30 feet , wall is concrete panels and posts ) and depending on where it lands will damage some of our plants and possibly the electrical supply unit for our percolation system/septic tank .

There is also the possibility of injury to ourselves or our dog .

I have rung the owner several times , left voicemails and also sent a couple of text messages informing them about the tree and asking them to ring me .

The owner never answers the phone and has not replied to any messages .

They are known for never answering the phone according to other neighbours .

Is there an obligation on their part to ensure that the tree doesn't cause damage to our property ?
If so , can it be enforced ?
Who can I contact about it if the owner refuses to even answer the phone or reply to messages ?

Thanks

elperello · 20-11-2017 12:43PM

Registered letter as a start.
If that doesn't work consult a solicitor.

ninja 12 · 20-11-2017 12:45PM

elperello wrote: »

Registered letter as a start.
If that doesn't work consult a solicitor.

Thanks ,
I thought of that , but don't know where they live .

They probably wouldn't sign for anything they weren't expecting anyway

gozunda · 20-11-2017 12:46PM

ninja 12 wrote: »

Hi ,
Hopefully this is in the right section .

The house next door to me is currently vacant .

The owner rents it out sometimes and doesn't seem to be too bothered about the condition of either the house or the grounds and there is a row of leylandii type trees about 50 -60 feet high along our boundary (on their side) .

During Storm Ophelia , one of these trees was severely damaged (split in two) and is only being held up by the tree next to it - it is leaning heavily on the tree beside it .

It is leaning towards the boundary .

When it does fall (and it will ) it will more than likely take down a large section of our wall (20-30 feet , wall is concrete panels and posts ) and depending on where it lands will damage some of our plants and possibly the electrical supply unit for our percolation system/septic tank .

There is also the possibility of injury to ourselves or our dog .

I have rung the owner several times , left voicemails and also sent a couple of text messages informing them about the tree and asking them to ring me .

The owner never answers the phone and has not replied to any messages .

They are known for never answering the phone according to other neighbours .

Is there an obligation on their part to ensure that the tree doesn't cause damage to our property ?
If so , can it be enforced ?
Who can I contact about it if the owner refuses to even answer the phone or reply to messages ?

Thanks

Is the tree likley to take down any power or phone lines - if so contact the ESB, Telecoms etc

If it is a roadside tree - contact your local council

Afaik if you cannot contact the relevant owner- you may cut down or prune any overhanging branches etc intruding onto your property. As long as you return the cuttings to the other property.

I would suggest you also post this in the forestry forum over in Farming to get a more detailed answer there.

Best of luck .

ninja 12 · 20-11-2017 12:54PM

gozunda wrote: »

Is the tree likley to take down any power or phone lines - if so contact the ESB, Telecoms etc

If it is a roadside tree - contact your local council

Afaik if you cannot contact the relevant owner- you may cut down or prune any overhanging branches etc intruding onto your property. As long as you return the cuttings to the other property.

I would suggest you also post this in the forestry forum over in Farming to get a more detailed answer there.

Best of luck .

It's in the back garden so no cables are affected unfortunately .

We had the trees tidied to the boundary earlier in the year , but pruning this tree won't help .

It needs to be taken down to ground level .

The tree itself is still just about inside their boundary , but I'm not sure how long it'll stay there as it is leaning towards the boundary .

elperello · 20-11-2017 12:56PM

Try asking around the neighbours to find out where he lives.

Dangerous tree next door

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