Overhanging trees higher than a house!

Overhanging trees higher than a house!

by Readers Question

Guest Author

9:27 AM, 12th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago 1

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Hello all. I’m looking for advice on this situation, please.

The neighbor of my 3-bed semi, who has lived there for around 40 years, has not maintained the trees in her 120ft garden. In contrast, I invested in fully surrounding close-board fencing in 2007, which is barn-painted and re-done before the 10-year paint guarantee expires. While not cheap, it has been worth the investment.

The neighbour has two trees higher than the house at the end of the garden. One of them is an ash that overhangs 35% of my property’s garden. The ash seeds (apparently known as keys) showers 2 of the 3 patios enjoyed as social seating areas from April. It also affects the spontaneous use of the garden furniture necessitating cleaning and sweeping up every time.

The other massive tree (not an ash) overhangs the workshop by 25% clogging its guttering and incurring an endless drip onto it roof material, not designed for that.

The neighbour – approached on friendly terms – said she’d been quoted £1000 to remove/pollard the ash tree. I got a better quote for her at £600 and she agreed to go ahead with it 18 months ago, then cancelled it the week before saying she couldn’t afford it. Nothing has been rescheduled since then. Back to zero with the overhanging and the mess.

Also the neighbour has failed to maintain some fast-growing plants on her side of the fence. Despite polite requests, she sent bossy letters through the tenants’ letterbox. The agreement was for her to keep the plants below the height of the fence, but she has neglected this. My garden-loving tenant recently used garden shears to cut back the overhang, sending the waste back to her side as it was her responsibility. My tenant does not have a green bin collection in the tenancy agreement.

There is no sign of the neighbour dealing with this sensibly or her sorting the two trees that continue to be an issue affecting my property and the enjoyment of it.

Any suggestions on a way forward would be gratefully received.

Thank you.

Lord


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Comments

Judith Wordsworth

10:19 AM, 12th June 2024, About 2 weeks ago

Unless causing structural damage to the building on your land there’s not a lot you can do.

The branches overhanging and cut off by your tenant are not dropped over to her side of the fence as is her responsibility to dispose of but as her property. Up to her whether she disposes or just leaves (sorry, lol) to rot.

If really concerning you offer to pay all the costs of pollarding/removal, an allowable tax expense.

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