Neighbour's tree etiquette - WWYD?

[Maza]

We have a big old tree in our garden and the branches hang over the neighbour's fence. It's a modern block of flats next door and we get on well with the manager of the block. They have asked us to prune the tree. The problem is - it's flipping expensive and we just aren't flush at the moment and so really don't want to. From what we've read, we are under no obligation to do this anyway, but of course we want to be neighbourly. Hubby politely suggested that they are welcome to do it themselves but they seemed to be pushing us down the route of us getting it professionally done at our cost.

We said we would get some quotes and take it from there. We know it's expensive because we have had some in the front garden done, but they were in the communal part of the garden and so the cost was split 5 ways between the five flats in our block.

The tree doesn't block out anyone's light as it is to the side of their building and reasonably far away from the building anyway - we think their gardeners are just dreading the leaf fall coming up this season.

Hubby is thinking of saying he will go halves. Do any of you have any experience in this sort of thing?

[BallyH]

We have a big old tree in our garden and the branches hang over the neighbour's fence. It's a modern block of flats next door and we get on well with the manager of the block. They have asked us to prune the tree. The problem is - it's flipping expensive and we just aren't flush at the moment and so really don't want to. From what we've read, we are under no obligation to do this anyway, but of course we want to be neighbourly. Hubby politely suggested that they are welcome to do it themselves but they seemed to be pushing us down the route of us getting it professionally done at our cost.

We said we would get some quotes and take it from there. We know it's expensive because we have had some in the front garden done, but they were in the communal part of the garden and so the cost was split 5 ways between the five flats in our block.

The tree doesn't block out anyone's light as it is to the side of their building and reasonably far away from the building anyway - we think their gardeners are just dreading the leaf fall coming up this season.

Hubby is thinking of saying he will go halves. Do any of you have any experience in this sort of thing?

My understanding is they cannot cut it on their side without your permission. I wonder if the trouble is that it's a management company who just want an easy life. I would suggest going halves and see what happens. If the tree overhung say a garden that belonged to a family they may well just chop away happily once they've had your permission. The management company have a list of jobs from loads of flats/apartments and they want all easy jobs done quickly and telling you to get on with it is an easy job. Go back to them explaining funds are tight so please either go halves or get their gardeners to chop their side (if they are happy with that). Maybe if they do chop their side you may be able to approach them to do your side also for a couple of quid and some.

[FloraDora]

My neighbours had a similar issue...the garden it was overhanging hacked it himself...the trees started to die and his view was then brown tree...Leylandi..it is thriving green on the owners side. It has taken at least 5 years to return to green this year..and it is sporadic.

So could you just ask permission and go and chop the offending branches yourself? In the years before 'tree surgeons' became a job we all just lopped ..consequences accepted.

[Maza]

We did do it ourselves on our side a few years ago, but it really is a massive tree and hubby is apprehensive as the branches would probably break the fence (the trunk is touching the fence which divides our gardens) and so then we would be left with a bill for that.

They are more than welcome to do the tree on their side - and hubby kept suggesting this but the (very sweet) guy was choosing not to hear it, lol. The problem is, he is the managing agent and doesn't really want the hassle of doing it himself and you wouldn't be able to hire anyone other than a tree surgeon because of the safety equipment needed.

In the eyes of the 'tree' law, he can't make us do anything - but we don't want to be unhelpful.

BallyH - they can chop down the branches on their side without our permission, which is fine by us! They just aren't willing to do so.

[sarah707]

Our neighbour mithers about one of our trees from time to time but as you say it's not cheap to have it done professionally and it's too big for us to tackle.

We did get it done a while ago but it's growing like wildfire again

Apart from taking it down completely I'm not sure what else to do apart from have it trimmed annually ...

[blue bear]

We had tree gate in our street a while back . Massive tree in garden blocking out neighbours light in several houses (not affected me but you know how people talk). Any how the new bloke wanted tree owner to trim it, tree owner refused plus refused permission for new bloke to hire a tree surgeon and do it properly. Hence solicitors got involved. The long and the short whilst tree owner cannot be forced to trim the tree after notifiying tree owner your insertions you can trim the tree back as long as you reurn any cuttings to tree owner .

So in your case flat manager wants tree trimmed he has asked you, you do not have to trim it but as you have given permission flat manager can trim it he is just choosing not to be use of the cost/ inconvenience.

I would be honest, say you cannot afford to pay in full for it but are willing to pay halves if he would like to source a surgeon and gain a quote (don't you do it and then wait for funds as it may never be forth coming) . If he insists it is your duty to cut it, tell him you have checked and legally you have no obligation to trim the tree.