If you sell your house these days you have to mention any neighbour disputes so check your policies, see if they include legal advice and think about contacting the police because he has caused criminal damage to your property and you do, presumably, have a copy of the letter saying he does not have permission to touch your trees.
Sometimes it's better to face a problem, quietly and calmly but resolutely, than to let it fester away nibbling at your confidence and subconscious to the point where it is debilitating for you and devalues your home.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
It wouldn't be out of place to once the police but I'm worried about it devaluing our property/making it harder to sell should we want to.
I think this is exactly why some neighbours do this sort of thing because most people fear taking it further due to devaluing house prices. On a side note, I don't think the police will take it seriously if you did report it. When my neighbour came into my garden and chopped my tree down to the ground without my knowledge or consent, I phoned the police for advice and they said while yes it was illegal (trespass, criminal damage and taking away apparently) the police told me they wouldn't do anything as it's 'just a tree'. So I didn't pursue it further as didn't see the point in possibly devaluing my house price when no action would be taken. It sounds like this neighbour will keep cutting down your trees, so I would either move or go with the previous suggestion of planting a large, fast growing evergreen shrub or tree planted far enough away from the boundary that the neighbour can't reach it. (should you worry about planting it too close to existing trees if the neighbour will be cutting those down anyways?) Have you spoken to your other neighbours? I agree with the previous comment of taking photos to prove what is happening should you need them later.
I'm really sorry you're having to go through this, I can only imagine how stressful it will be. I don't see any harm in contacting the police anyway. He's caused damage, you told him no politely 2 years ago. He's just ignored that and done what he wanted. What's to stop him just carrying on and treating your garden as his? What if he decides something else in your garden is annoying him? If nothing else it might scare the bugger into stopping, if he gets a policeman turning up at the door.
Failing that, speak to him, calmly, and remind him you said no, you're still saying no, stop it. Then plant a big fast growing tree as others have suggested.
I don't understand peole who buy houses near trees then complain about the trees.
I think I would visit the neighbour and very calmly and politely say that you were upset that they trespassed on your property to cut down the trees. Ask them for an assurance this will not happen again otherwise you will seek legal redress. Go on to say that doing so would serve neither of you well because, as a formal dispute, it would have to be mentioned when it comes round to selling both houses and the price of both is likely to be reduced as a consequence. Before doing this I would get advice about the path to that redress. The CAB or legal coverage on your home insurance policy might be possibilities, or look for a solicitor who gives you a free initial 30 minute consultation.
I would not plant a fast growing tree. Tempting as it may be that just seems to be cutting off your nose to spite your face. You’ll end up with something in your garden taking out moisture and nutrients from the soil, casting shade and costing you money in tree surgeons’ charges further down the line. Meanwhile you’ll be waiting for about 10 years for the tree to grow to a height to achieve your aims and, by then, he could have moved, the conifers could be decimated by blight, or whatever.
I know I am imposing here my personal dislike of conifers but, hand on heart, can you really say that the pleasure they give you at their original height is so much more than the pleasure they give you at the reduced height which also provides the neighbour with a view? Some will want to sit on their high horse and say that’s not the point, don’t let the bully win etc. But what has happened cannot be undone and I think clearing the air with your neighbour and maintaining civility between you is so much more preferable than simmering discontent and, possibly, moving house with the thousands and thousands of pounds it will cost you in various fees. And what guarantee do you have that the new neighbours won’t be Old Neighbour Mark Two?
We're not keen to approach him again as we've already said all we needed to say and he didnt listen to us. Also the stress is not great for my crohns and my husband has aspergers so can't deal with these situations. I'm going to try and call our house insurance and see if I can get some advice from them. I know I just can't ignore it as I'm afraid of what else he'll do to our garden, exactly like Pyra mentioned. I honestly feel like he will continue to take over our property. Would a solicitors letter have to be disclosed as a dispute if I got one sent?
This is really horrible for you @New Gardner. I know how easy it is to say call the police, but I doubt they would do much - if they even turned up. Have you considered a camera? It gives you clear evidence if he's in your garden. Perhaps a combination of what @BenCotto has said re another visit, clearly stating the facts again, and letting him know you have a camera, and will take it further. If he persists, you can get somewhere legally with that evidence. It shouldn't come to that, but some people start with this type of insidious aggression, as if they're trying to stamp their authority on you, and show you that 'they're in charge'. He's clearly taken no notice of what you've said in the past, so perhaps it's time to be a bit more aggressive yourself. Maybe he thinks you're a soft touch, and can just walk all over you and you'll back down. Maybe you could rope in a friend when you go round who is not only a witness to the conversation, but might help get the message across. Some bloke built like a brick sh*thouse would be ideal
I also understand about the stress. Both my daughters are autistic, and I see only too well how it affects them with even quite small stresses.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I agree fairy girl about getting someone to come with us but unfortunately we have no one. We did have cameras after the initial letters and visits from him to our doorstep but the batteries were being charged at the time (typically). I'm so stressed about this and cant really see a solution to a bully neighbour. We dont really want to move but it looks like that might the only option for us ultimately. So long as the neighbour gets his way, that's the main thing.
I agree fairy girl about getting someone to come with us but unfortunately we have no one. We did have cameras after the initial letters and visits from him to our doorstep but the batteries were being charged at the time (typically). I'm so stressed about this and cant really see a solution to a bully neighbour. We dont really want to move but it looks like that might the only option for us ultimately. So long as the neighbour gets his way, that's the main thing.
"the boys in Blue" are used to dealing with bullies. If a neigbour smashed your windows, or vandalised your car, you'd call the police. I see this criminal damage as no less off an issue.
Do you want to sign into the Daily Telegraph website to find the answer to this question? Perhaps someone on this forum who already subscribes could paraphrase the reply.
@New Gardner, I have just looked at your original photo again and would quite appreciate an up to date one please if you wouldn't mind. Can you tell us to what extent he has cut off this own trees. I am wondering whether they are now level with yours or lower and whether you can now see his upper level bedroom windows? Also, is it the yellow conifer he has just pruned, which seems to be the highest one you've got?
I'm now thinking along the same lines as Ben Cotto, as in it would be a really nice neighbourly gesture (which would give you the moral high ground) if you would consent to having just a bit chopped off the top of your trees, in order to give the neighbour a chance to enjoy the same lovely view of the city that you have. Try to think of the matter from your neighbour's point of view - he probably bought the house thinking he could have a lovely view if he trimmed his own trees and then found to his dismay that you also had trees he didn't know about that spoilt that view!
I also agree with Ben Cotto that it would be a great pity to go to the great expense of moving and perhaps have a similar problem with any new neighbours.
Do have a quiet think about it all as you might find it far less stressful to be generous to your neighbour.
Posts
Sometimes it's better to face a problem, quietly and calmly but resolutely, than to let it fester away nibbling at your confidence and subconscious to the point where it is debilitating for you and devalues your home.
I think this is exactly why some neighbours do this sort of thing because most people fear taking it further due to devaluing house prices. On a side note, I don't think the police will take it seriously if you did report it. When my neighbour came into my garden and chopped my tree down to the ground without my knowledge or consent, I phoned the police for advice and they said while yes it was illegal (trespass, criminal damage and taking away apparently) the police told me they wouldn't do anything as it's 'just a tree'. So I didn't pursue it further as didn't see the point in possibly devaluing my house price when no action would be taken.
It sounds like this neighbour will keep cutting down your trees, so I would either move or go with the previous suggestion of planting a large, fast growing evergreen shrub or tree planted far enough away from the boundary that the neighbour can't reach it. (should you worry about planting it too close to existing trees if the neighbour will be cutting those down anyways?) Have you spoken to your other neighbours? I agree with the previous comment of taking photos to prove what is happening should you need them later.
Failing that, speak to him, calmly, and remind him you said no, you're still saying no, stop it. Then plant a big fast growing tree as others have suggested.
I don't understand peole who buy houses near trees then complain about the trees.
That man's a bully, plain and simple.
I would not plant a fast growing tree. Tempting as it may be that just seems to be cutting off your nose to spite your face. You’ll end up with something in your garden taking out moisture and nutrients from the soil, casting shade and costing you money in tree surgeons’ charges further down the line. Meanwhile you’ll be waiting for about 10 years for the tree to grow to a height to achieve your aims and, by then, he could have moved, the conifers could be decimated by blight, or whatever.
Have you considered a camera? It gives you clear evidence if he's in your garden.
Perhaps a combination of what @BenCotto has said re another visit, clearly stating the facts again, and letting him know you have a camera, and will take it further.
If he persists, you can get somewhere legally with that evidence. It shouldn't come to that, but some people start with this type of insidious aggression, as if they're trying to stamp their authority on you, and show you that 'they're in charge'. He's clearly taken no notice of what you've said in the past, so perhaps it's time to be a bit more aggressive yourself. Maybe he thinks you're a soft touch, and can just walk all over you and you'll back down.
Maybe you could rope in a friend when you go round who is not only a witness to the conversation, but might help get the message across. Some bloke built like a brick sh*thouse would be ideal
I also understand about the stress. Both my daughters are autistic, and I see only too well how it affects them with even quite small stresses.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If a neigbour smashed your windows, or vandalised your car, you'd call the police. I see this criminal damage as no less off an issue.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/11941407/My-neighbour-cut-down-my-tree.-Can-I-sue-for-damages.html
I'm now thinking along the same lines as Ben Cotto, as in it would be a really nice neighbourly gesture (which would give you the moral high ground) if you would consent to having just a bit chopped off the top of your trees, in order to give the neighbour a chance to enjoy the same lovely view of the city that you have.
Try to think of the matter from your neighbour's point of view - he probably bought the house thinking he could have a lovely view if he trimmed his own trees and then found to his dismay that you also had trees he didn't know about that spoilt that view!
I also agree with Ben Cotto that it would be a great pity to go to the great expense of moving and perhaps have a similar problem with any new neighbours.
Do have a quiet think about it all as you might find it far less stressful to be generous to your neighbour.