Pruning overhanging tree branches

[uk_vette]

Hi all,

Any one see a problem if I cut back this neighbours tree to the fence line.

Sick and tired of the leaves.
Fed up with it blocking out the daylight
.

.


Quite clearly on their side of the fence.

They are not neighbours one can speak to, so a letter of intent will be posted to them.

[PurpleMoonlight]

You want to cut it in half?

[Impasse]

Don't do anything detrimental to the health of the tree. Employ a gardener with a rake instead.

[Mandat]

Also check that the council have not put a TPO on the tree, as that could prevent any major pruning being undertaken.

[Amused2death]

Put 'em in a pile and return to the neighbour.

[furrywoolyhatuk]

I have a similar problem, ended up chatting to the neighbour first just as a matter of courtesy. Ended up cutting back to the boundary.

[Nimby]

If there is no TPO you can cut back to the border and must offer the branches ("arisings") to the neighbour. But if they don't want them, you have to arrange disposal.

[forest07]

Talk to the neighbour first rather than just wade in. Unless they are like the neighbour I had at my last place!

[netherfield]

And you'll still get loads of leaves from what's left of the tree.

[roofer]

I think lopping it back that much will make it look odd. An all over trim wouldn't hurt. I like the visual impact of a tree, and that's a fairly decent looking thing. For a couple of hours raking once a year, I'd leave it.

[mikees]

That's a beautiful big old mature tree that will add value and street presence to your house pls don't hack to death. I'm no green but that's a travesty. Just rake the leaves and have a big smokey bonfire.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Your lawn mower will pick up those leaves in five minutes, and shred them for you. Perfect for making leaf-mould or composting.

You could shorten the lower branches a bit, but cutting it right back to the fence line would make it look really stupid.

[Robertj21a]

Much as others have said, it's a nice, mature tree that will look silly if you savage it. I've got a similar problem but it really doesn't take long to rake up those leaves.

[8-P]

Just mow them up or get a garden vac. The leaves are only just starting to come down, but give it a few weeks theyll be done and you can clean up. Youll still get loads come over from that tree and probably others even if you hack it up which will make it look worse and anyway Id rather see a tree than whats behind it!

[fido]

Nimby said:

But if they don't want them, you have to arrange disposal.

Interesting to know that .. because my senile neighbour actually threatened to throw them over my fence! He didn't actually do it but we haven't spoken much since.

Yes, speak to your neighbour first - I would be more than happy for someone to prune my tree and deal with gardeners - though maybe not right back to the fence as that might damage the tree (as mentioned already).

Edited by fido on Monday 9th November 10:50

[AC43]

To be fair the tree could do with being reduced (all over). If it was mine I'd take it back 30-50%. It would look better and grow back nice and dense.

The trouble is most people think trees are zero-maintenance and ignore them/let them grow too big. Then someone feels like they need to lop a chunk off and/or the owner decides to take the whole thing out.....

Shame they are not reasonable neighbours.

[Spudler]

If it was me I'd check there's no TPO & if all good go for it.
If OP isn't sure what he's doing then employ a surgeon .
Up to neighbour if he wants to trim his side to balance it out.
Trees are fine if people look after them, which most fkers don't.

[Blib]

Shirley, trees have evolved to look after themselves?

[Muncher]

It will look awful if you chop it in half, it will annoy your neighbour, it will make your property look worse from the road and you will still get loads of leaves blowing over regardless hacking it down is a terrible idea.

[Sheepshanks]

Muncher said:

It will look awful if you chop it in half,

I was in my neighbours garden recently and I'd never realised before that for all the trees in neighbours gardens at both sides and bottom he's sliced them vertically in line with his fences. Looked absolutely ridiculous - they looked like cross-section samples of trees.