Exterior Security Lights Query

[swisstoni]

Does anyone know if it is ok (either legally or on safety grounds) to run armoured cable up a tree and fix a security floodlight to the tree.
A neighbour has seen fit to do this to a tree on my side of the fence!

[KungFuPanda]

Cut the tree down. That'll learn him.

[LucreLout]

Splice in an air horn to accompany the light.

[stevensdrs]

If the trunk of the tree is wholly on your property then the neighbour has no right to run a cable up it without your permission.

[Red Devil]

swisstoni said:

Does anyone know if it is ok (either legally or on safety grounds) to run armoured cable up a tree and fix a security floodlight to the tree.
A neighbour has seen fit to do this to a tree on my side of the fence!

Has the cable been run up the tree trunk? If so, presumably the trunk is on your land (it must be very close to the boundary for your neighbour to have done it without entering onto your property). Ask yourself this: if you have a garden shed does that give the neighbour the right to store his junk in it without your consent? It would help if you could take a photo of the installation and post it here.

[swisstoni]

I do have a photo but it's a small world so I'll try describing for now.

The tree is on my side of the fence, very close to it. The armoured cable comes up his side of the fence, over the top and is then p-clipped to the tree up to an exterior grade junction box (!) alto nailed or screwed to the tree and then on to the light itself, also affixed to the tree about 20 feet up.

[Riley Blue]

I'm surprised you feel the need to ask, of course it's a no-no!

[emmaT2014]

It is your tree.
Carefully remove the lamp and cable, wind it up and pass it over the fence to his garden. That is if he doesn't agree to remove it himself of course.

[btcc123]

I am no electrician but could you take a spur off his cable on your tree to power most of the electricity for your house.I am sure you would be happy with this arrangement free electricity and he may take the security light down when his bill doubles.

As your neighbour seams a bit of a sap and barking up the wrong tree I would leaf the cable alone or if you are not happy call special branch.

[swisstoni]

btcc123 said:

I am no electrician but could you take a spur off his cable on your tree to power most of the electricity for your house.I am sure you would be happy with this arrangement free electricity and he may take the security light down when his bill doubles.

As your neighbour seams a bit of a sap and barking up the wrong tree I would leaf the cable alone or if you are not happy call special branch.

I must admit a power supply in that part of the garden would be handy.
Wouldn't I blow myself up if the power wasn't off though?

[e39darren]

Do it in the day time when the light is off lol ( I'm only joking I know it's going to have power going to it constantly)

[BobSaunders]

Politely have a chat. It's your tree - he should have discussed it.

I do not suppose it is a massive problem at the end of the day?

Let us know how it goes - i hate threads with no ending.

[shovelheadrob]

btcc123 said:

I am no electrician but could you take a spur off his cable on your tree to power most of the electricity for your house.I am sure you would be happy with this arrangement free electricity and he may take the security light down when his bill doubles.

As your neighbour seams a bit of a sap and barking up the wrong tree I would leaf the cable alone or if you are not happy call special branch.

This!

[surveyor]

What's the light going to illuminate when there are leaves on the tree?

[swisstoni]

There isn't anything in the way of the light as he has taken everything off the tree on his side.

I'm going to lever the whole lot off the tree and just let it fall on his side. I'll probably drop him an email and give him the opportunity to take it off before I do. We aren't exactly big mates due to previous tree-related issues so a face-to-face would probably not end on a positive note.

I also hate threads with no ending too so I will update. I'm sure the suspense will be hard to bear.

[btcc123]

You could always park your car on his drive .When he complains tell him he is using your garden so you are going to use his drive.

[anonymous-user]

A neighbour is entitled to chop a tree back to the boundary, suggest you get a big pair of rubber gloves and a lopper, the lop the cable off at the boundary. He has already done that to your tree so I think you're entitled to do the same thing back :-)

[Wings]

stevensdrs said:

If the trunk of the tree is wholly on your property then the neighbour has no right to run a cable up it without your permission.

^^^this, cheeky bxxxxr

[Gafferjim]

With an insulated pair of rubber gloves, knock a nail through the cable (on your side) in the most unseen place (in fact put it under one of the clips), then it will constantly blow fuses in his house

[jbsportstech]

Gafferjim said:

With an insulated pair of rubber gloves, knock a nail through the cable (on your side) in the most unseen place (in fact put it under one of the clips), then it will constantly blow fuses in his house

...and dont forget to hammer frozen sausages into their garden as well.