A neighbour has some trees which are right up against the boundary and they
are growing across my garden, how can I make him prune them so I do not have
to suffer their presence?

Alan

On Mon, 25 May 2009 19:32:20 +0100, alan.holmes wrote
(in article ):


A neighbour has some trees which are right up against the boundary and they
are growing across my garden, how can I make him prune them so I do not have
to suffer their presence?


As I understand it (but IANAL) you are legally entitled to cut back anything
growing over your garden to the boundary; you are however obliged to offer
back the cuttings. However, I suggest a friendly approach first if that is
possible to ask him if he would prefer to do the job himself. He may not
realise that they are causing you any problem.

--
Sally in Shropshire, UK
Posted through uk.rec.gardening

On Mon, 25 May 2009 20:19:44 +0100, Sally Thompson
wrote:

On Mon, 25 May 2009 19:32:20 +0100, alan.holmes wrote
(in article ):


A neighbour has some trees which are right up against the boundary and they
are growing across my garden, how can I make him prune them so I do not have
to suffer their presence?


As I understand it (but IANAL) you are legally entitled to cut back anything
growing over your garden to the boundary; you are however obliged to offer
back the cuttings. However, I suggest a friendly approach first if that is
possible to ask him if he would prefer to do the job himself. He may not
realise that they are causing you any problem.

I agree, but can you tell us what trees they are?

Pam in Bristol

A neighbour has some trees which are right up against the boundary and
they
are growing across my garden, how can I make him prune them so I do not
have
to suffer their presence?


Our neighbour complained about some of our trees and we told them that they
could cut back anything on their side that was bothering them, their answer
was that they didn't see why they should do it or indeed pay someone to do
it when they were our trees.They wanted us to cut back hedges as well, the
matter has not been resolved as yet.

kate

Kate Morgan writes

A neighbour has some trees which are right up against the boundary
and they
are growing across my garden, how can I make him prune them so I do
not have
to suffer their presence?


Our neighbour complained about some of our trees and we told them that
they could cut back anything on their side that was bothering them,
their answer was that they didn't see why they should do it or indeed
pay someone to do it when they were our trees.

Well, I suppose I can see their point. But it doesn't seem sensible to
me to stick firmly by your rights in a neighbour situation - everything
works a lot more smoothly with give and take.

They wanted us to cut back hedges as well, the matter has not been
resolved as yet.

Hedges are a different matter. They're a boundary marker.

Your neighbours obviously aren't gardeners - I'd far rather cut my
hedges myself than risk someone else trampling over my plants while they
do it!
--
Kay

On Mon, 25 May 2009 21:26:42 +0100, Kate Morgan wrote:

Our neighbour complained about some of our trees and we told them that they
could cut back anything on their side that was bothering them, their answer
was that they didn't see why they should do it or indeed pay someone to do
it when they were our trees.

I suppose that's reasonable ?

They wanted us to cut back hedges as well, the matter has not been resolved
as yet.

They want you to cut *their* side of the hedge ? That certainly is not
reasonable !!

We have new neighbours. They stated to our ex neighbours (our friends) that
they have no intention of cutting the top of the long hedge between our
properties. We'll see :-) I'm quite happy to do my share - but not happy to
do it all !
--
Regards,

Hugh Jampton

On 2009-05-25 21:26:42 +0100, "Kate Morgan" said:


A neighbour has some trees which are right up against the boundary and they
are growing across my garden, how can I make him prune them so I do not have
to suffer their presence?


Our neighbour complained about some of our trees and we told them that
they could cut back anything on their side that was bothering them,
their answer was that they didn't see why they should do it or indeed
pay someone to do it when they were our trees.They wanted us to cut
back hedges as well, the matter has not been resolved as yet.

kate

Don't you think they have a point, Kate? They didn't plant the trees
or hedge but both are impinging on their garden. They're not planted
in their garden but they belong to you and are giving your neighbour a
problem as a result of your ownership. If they were e.g. your dog, or
cat, or your children, wouldn't you expect to deal with the matter
yourself?
Perhaps you could offer to go into their garden and do the trimming,
taking away any debris? That way, nobody is out of pocket but honour
is satisfied. Honour, in this case, being good relations with your
neighbours. It will be much easier for you to keep those trees under
control once the initial cut is made, too! And is it worth falling out
with the people to whom you are closest? ;-)
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon

On 2009-05-25 22:13:16 +0100, Hugh Jampton said:

On Mon, 25 May 2009 21:26:42 +0100, Kate Morgan wrote:

Our neighbour complained about some of our trees and we told them that they
could cut back anything on their side that was bothering them, their answer
was that they didn't see why they should do it or indeed pay someone to do
it when they were our trees.

I suppose that's reasonable ?

They wanted us to cut back hedges as well, the matter has not been resolved
as yet.

They want you to cut *their* side of the hedge ? That certainly is not
reasonable !!

We have new neighbours. They stated to our ex neighbours (our friends) that
they have no intention of cutting the top of the long hedge between our
properties. We'll see :-) I'm quite happy to do my share - but not happy to
do it all !

So do you think you'd be setting yourself up for one of those classic
neighbour quarrels that just isn't worth the energy? If you're swiping
3' with the hedge cutter, would it be a terrible burden to swipe 5'?
--
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon

On Mon, 25 May 2009 23:11:46 +0100, Sacha wrote:

We have new neighbours. They stated to our ex neighbours (our friends) that
they have no intention of cutting the top of the long hedge between our
properties. We'll see :-) I'm quite happy to do my share - but not happy to
do it all !

So do you think you'd be setting yourself up for one of those classic
neighbour quarrels that just isn't worth the energy? If you're swiping
3' with the hedge cutter, would it be a terrible burden to swipe 5'?

Sacha - I've been doing exactly that for many years. I'm now in my mid 60's
and although reasonably fit, I don't really think I should be doing all the
work on my shared 250 yards of hedges.

I cut *all* the top of a hedge between me and a neighbour twice a year for
18 years. Hedge was 60 ft long, 7 ft tall and 6 ft wide. Massive job.

And then a new hedge appeared between that same neighbour and his
neighbour. 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide. My wonderful neighbour cut exactly *half*
of the top of it !!!

I'm getting old and have no intention of doing all the work for my
neighbours and their gardens :-)
--
Regards,

Hugh Jampton

A neighbour has some trees which are right up against the boundary and
they
are growing across my garden, how can I make him prune them so I do
not have
to suffer their presence?


Our neighbour complained about some of our trees and we told them that
they could cut back anything on their side that was bothering them, their
answer was that they didn't see why they should do it or indeed pay
someone to do it when they were our trees.They wanted us to cut back
hedges as well, the matter has not been resolved as yet.

kate

Don't you think they have a point, Kate? They didn't plant the trees or
hedge but both are impinging on their garden. They're not planted in
their garden but they belong to you and are giving your neighbour a
problem as a result of your ownership. If they were e.g. your dog, or
cat, or your children, wouldn't you expect to deal with the matter
yourself?
Perhaps you could offer to go into their garden and do the trimming,
taking away any debris? That way, nobody is out of pocket but honour is
satisfied. Honour, in this case, being good relations with your
neighbours. It will be much easier for you to keep those trees under
control once the initial cut is made, too! And is it worth falling out
with the people to whom you are closest? ;-)
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon


With respect, but in my own defense I need to say that the hedge and trees
in question have been there for a very very long time, long before we bought
the property and long before our neighbours bought theirs. Our property is
16th cent. and we have seen Victorian pictures of the property and the same
hedges/trees were there then,it is made up of mixed planting full of
wildlife and serving a purpose, one of the purposes is to protect our
property and next doors from the wind that sweeps up the Bristol Channel.
I don't like to use age but as I am in my early 70`s I am not able to
cut/trim the growth - even if I wanted to - there are several other reasons
why I do not wish to do the work but I have no intention of getting petty.
None of you know the situation and I am surprised by the reaction to a few
lines in answer to another poster. We are in a rural area and all have big
garden`s and a bit of land, most of us have big hedges and trees and I do
not wish to fall out with our neighbours or any members of this newsgroup
whose friendship I value.

kate

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 2009-05-25 21:26:42 +0100, "Kate Morgan"
said:


A neighbour has some trees which are right up against the boundary and
they
are growing across my garden, how can I make him prune them so I do
not have
to suffer their presence?


Our neighbour complained about some of our trees and we told them that
they could cut back anything on their side that was bothering them, their
answer was that they didn't see why they should do it or indeed pay
someone to do it when they were our trees.They wanted us to cut back
hedges as well, the matter has not been resolved as yet.

kate

Don't you think they have a point, Kate? They didn't plant the trees or
hedge but both are impinging on their garden. They're not planted in
their garden but they belong to you and are giving your neighbour a
problem as a result of your ownership. If they were e.g. your dog, or
cat, or your children, wouldn't you expect to deal with the matter
yourself?

She has 'dealt with the matter' by reminding the neighbours that they are
entitled to trim growth which overhangs their land, if they wish to do so.
People buying properties with trees and/or hedges abutting their boundaries
ought to be aware they might face some effort and/or expense in managing
'their' side of them, regardless of who 'owns' them. The answer to the
neighbours' point that they didn't see why they should do it or pay someone
else to do it is that they are the ones who want the work done, and the OP
is under no obligation to do it.

On 2009-05-25 23:47:19 +0100, Hugh Jampton said:

On Mon, 25 May 2009 23:11:46 +0100, Sacha wrote:

We have new neighbours. They stated to our ex neighbours (our friends) that
they have no intention of cutting the top of the long hedge between our
properties. We'll see :-) I'm quite happy to do my share - but not happy to
do it all !

So do you think you'd be setting yourself up for one of those classic
neighbour quarrels that just isn't worth the energy? If you're swiping
3' with the hedge cutter, would it be a terrible burden to swipe 5'?

Sacha - I've been doing exactly that for many years. I'm now in my mid 60's
and although reasonably fit, I don't really think I should be doing all the
work on my shared 250 yards of hedges.

No, I don't think you *should* be either but wonder what other solution
there is other than what I've suggested in my reply to Kate. Or do you
think that they will object to you cutting it at all? That they will
want to let it grow so as to be a nuisance to you?

I cut *all* the top of a hedge between me and a neighbour twice a year for
18 years. Hedge was 60 ft long, 7 ft tall and 6 ft wide. Massive job.

And then a new hedge appeared between that same neighbour and his
neighbour. 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide. My wonderful neighbour cut exactly *half*
of the top of it !!!

I'm getting old and have no intention of doing all the work for my
neighbours and their gardens :-)

Not fair, I agree but if they *won't* do it you are stuck with it,
possibly just because you've been generous with your time and effort
for years. Does the hedge belong to both of you or just to one
property. In a house I own the hedge is my responsibility so I have to
see that it gets cut on the top and on my house's side of it. Perhaps
you and Kate could both talk to Hedgeline?
http://freespace.virgin.net/clare.h/
--
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon

On 2009-05-26 09:46:01 +0100, "BAC" said:


"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 2009-05-25 21:26:42 +0100, "Kate Morgan"
said:


A neighbour has some trees which are right up against the boundary and
they
are growing across my garden, how can I make him prune them so I do
not have
to suffer their presence?


Our neighbour complained about some of our trees and we told them that
they could cut back anything on their side that was bothering them, their
answer was that they didn't see why they should do it or indeed pay
someone to do it when they were our trees.They wanted us to cut back
hedges as well, the matter has not been resolved as yet.

kate

Don't you think they have a point, Kate? They didn't plant the trees or
hedge but both are impinging on their garden. They're not planted in
their garden but they belong to you and are giving your neighbour a
problem as a result of your ownership. If they were e.g. your dog, or
cat, or your children, wouldn't you expect to deal with the matter
yourself?

She has 'dealt with the matter' by reminding the neighbours that they are
entitled to trim growth which overhangs their land, if they wish to do so.
People buying properties with trees and/or hedges abutting their boundaries
ought to be aware they might face some effort and/or expense in managing
'their' side of them, regardless of who 'owns' them. The answer to the
neighbours' point that they didn't see why they should do it or pay someone
else to do it is that they are the ones who want the work done, and the OP
is under no obligation to do it.

The thing is that is not necessarily the case. AIUI, the law has
changed or is changing in that regard and people can be made to cut
offending hedges and be fined if they don't do so. I can't remember if
this affects trees, too but I read about this fairly recently. That's
why I've suggested having a look at Hedgeline which has a lot of detail
on this subject.
--
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon

On 2009-05-26 09:19:30 +0100, "Kate Morgan" said:



A neighbour has some trees which are right up against the boundary and they
are growing across my garden, how can I make him prune them so I do not have
to suffer their presence?


Our neighbour complained about some of our trees and we told them that
they could cut back anything on their side that was bothering them,
their answer was that they didn't see why they should do it or indeed
pay someone to do it when they were our trees.They wanted us to cut
back hedges as well, the matter has not been resolved as yet.

kate

Don't you think they have a point, Kate? They didn't plant the trees
or hedge but both are impinging on their garden. They're not planted
in their garden but they belong to you and are giving your neighbour a
problem as a result of your ownership. If they were e.g. your dog, or
cat, or your children, wouldn't you expect to deal with the matter
yourself?
Perhaps you could offer to go into their garden and do the trimming,
taking away any debris? That way, nobody is out of pocket but honour
is satisfied. Honour, in this case, being good relations with your
neighbours. It will be much easier for you to keep those trees under
control once the initial cut is made, too! And is it worth falling out
with the people to whom you are closest? ;-)
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon


With respect, but in my own defense I need to say that the hedge and
trees in question have been there for a very very long time, long
before we bought the property and long before our neighbours bought
theirs. Our property is 16th cent. and we have seen Victorian pictures
of the property and the same hedges/trees were there then,it is made up
of mixed planting full of wildlife and serving a purpose, one of the
purposes is to protect our property and next doors from the wind that
sweeps up the Bristol Channel.
I don't like to use age but as I am in my early 70`s I am not able to
cut/trim the growth - even if I wanted to - there are several other
reasons why I do not wish to do the work but I have no intention of
getting petty. None of you know the situation and I am surprised by the
reaction to a few lines in answer to another poster. We are in a rural
area and all have big garden`s and a bit of land, most of us have big
hedges and trees and I do not wish to fall out with our neighbours or
any members of this newsgroup whose friendship I value.

kate

Funnily enough, just this morning my daughter told me that her
neighbour who keeps his back garden extremely trim, has allowed the
hedge in the front to grow up so as to hide the view from her kitchen
window towards the Severn. She's going to ask him to cut a 'window' in
the hedge so that both her light and her view aren't spoiled further.
He asked her if he could trim some branches from one of her trees that
were shading his garden and of course, she said 'yes'. We have to
hope that he'll bear her co-operation in mind when she asks the same of
him, even though he was, of course, within his rights to trim her trees
where they impinged on his garden.
I wasn't accusing you of anything unpleasant but hoping to suggest an
amicable solution to a situation I've been in myself. I had a
neighbour who wanted to cut back some branches of my tree in full leaf
because (he said) it was dropping leaves and pollen onto their washing
line. This was nonsense as there was no washing line nearby but he was
one of the awkward squad at the best of times! I told him I'd cut the
branches back in late autumn and I did and paid someone to do it
because it was my tree growing over into his garden, although it wasn't
a tree I'd planted. I'm sorry if I've offended you because that was
certainly not my intention.The other thing that concerned me was that
if I got the person who did the work and I paid for it, I knew it would
be done properly and not just have someone half butchering it.
Obviously if there's more to the situation then any answers given can't
encompass the unknown. For all of you, and for Hugh's problem, too,
would it be possible/worth it, to band together to get someone to come
in once or twice a year to do all hedges and necessary work and all
share the cost? And presumably, your neighbours must be aware that the
hedges and trees are providing a windbreak? I ask only because if
they're not that interested in gardening, they might not realise the
importance of a shelter belt.
If the trees have been there a long time, all of you knew they were
there when you bought your houses, so it's not as if any of you have
planted trees just to annoy others, so perhaps all joining forces to
clear the 'nuisance' could be the answer.
--
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon

On Tue, 26 May 2009 10:01:20 +0100, Sacha wrote
(in article ):

On 2009-05-26 09:46:01 +0100, "BAC" said:

[re overhanging trees and hedges]
snip

She has 'dealt with the matter' by reminding the neighbours that they are
entitled to trim growth which overhangs their land, if they wish to do so.
People buying properties with trees and/or hedges abutting their boundaries
ought to be aware they might face some effort and/or expense in managing
'their' side of them, regardless of who 'owns' them. The answer to the
neighbours' point that they didn't see why they should do it or pay someone
else to do it is that they are the ones who want the work done, and the OP
is under no obligation to do it.

The thing is that is not necessarily the case. AIUI, the law has
changed or is changing in that regard and people can be made to cut
offending hedges and be fined if they don't do so. I can't remember if
this affects trees, too but I read about this fairly recently. That's
why I've suggested having a look at Hedgeline which has a lot of detail
on this subject.


I think you'll find that that only refers to the height of an /evergreen/
hedge, Sacha, and not to growth overhanging someone else's garden.

--
Sally in Shropshire, UK
Posted through uk.rec.gardening