I understand what you mean in the photos. I just want to say he is entitled to cut overhanging branches (if there are any) which can make your trees thinner and more see-through. Also, if the branches curve over the boundary and then back to your side, he can cut it even though it removes the part on your side. There is also a possibility he reached too far with his saw, without intention to cut your tree. It's possible he's a bully but it's also possible he is just careless inconsiderate person. You are stressing over it in he's thinking it's no big deal. Some people are like that.
I had a Gardener around this morning to actually discuss another bit of work but mentioned to him about the trees. He said they've been hacked apart and cut so much at the back they've been weakened. The way they've been topped they wont grow up again.
I had a Gardener around this morning to actually discuss another bit of work but mentioned to him about the trees. He said they've been hacked apart and cut so much at the back they've been weakened. The way they've been topped they wont grow up again.
Feel for you, I despise bullies and although I would rather not have confrontation i would absolutely love a neighbor to try that with me although my wife would not. Can you get your Gardner to put that in writing and bill him for the damage to the trees?
Do you think you could position a cctv camera to be able to record any of your trees being cut by your neighbour. Usually, such bullies shrink from being recorded doing their dirty deeds. I know it’s a bit late but it may stop further vandalism. It needs to be pointing so that it only records your trees and not the opposite windows. If he dislikes the idea of a camera he can alert the police, you can then put your side of the story forward. I really feel for you. Good luck. Valerie
I've a tree surgeon paying a visit tomorrow so I'll see what he says. I had an arlo camera in our back garden but it was being charged and the angle wouldn't have captured anything. The Gardiner today suggested a camera too but then he said because the guy is cutting the back of the trees, technically it wouldn't prove he was doing it (you can't see him) just the trees going down. I've asked our conveyancing solicitor also for advice, but they could take a while to get back to me. The Gardiner today thought a solicitor was a waste of time and then suggested moving house potentially, considering the cost of the extension etc too. I don't really want to move. It's just too much hassle but I don't want a war either. Our trees are gradually being destroyed though.
Smudgerii I know you're correct. I dont think I'm brave enough though, and I dont think he'll take us seriously. We both look very young, I'm slim and 5ft 1 and my husband as I say has aspergers so doesn't deal with confrontation. I have social anxiety and have been bullied in the past, so to be honest I'm scared to tackle him myself.
Only you know how much this is affecting you. Personally I don't think I would want the worry of tackling him or dealing with letters and solicitors or the hassle of buying and selling. That would only leave me with accepting what he has done, yes he shouldn't get away with it but the only person that is upset is you not him. I see your trees are shapely but some are showing brown areas and all that looming bulk would depress me. What's the depth from the front of your trees to your boundary with him. Is it possible to remove the ones within his reach and leave some? Or maybe you would have to take them all out and erect a stout fence either on your boundary line or if that's not clear just inside your property.Then 3m away from the fence put in a row of pleached trees, or bamboo or anything that grows tall fast. Silver birch looks nice and although not evergreen the branches do obscure. Or build an 8ft high pergola with trellis infill at the back again 3m in and grow climbers. Life isn't fair and we don't always get what's rightfully ours justice wise, so often bullies win, because we chose to let them but sometimes we know our health and mental well being is more precious than a few trees.
Thanks for your detailed post k67. I am worried about the toll such a process might take on me. 2 years ago when I wrote the letter, I was extremely stressed and my medication for crohns stopped working a few weeks later, ended up being admitted to hospital. I know there were other factors there but this situation didn't help at the time.
Theres probably about 3 metres depth from the boundary to the front of our trees. If we did remove the ones In his reach there would probably only be about 2 or 3 short ones left. Quite a lot are within his reach given this latest job. He doesn't respect the original boundary posts, but I will admit they are in between the trees in both our gardens. The neighbours either side have trees too but they have got a clearer fence in between to perhaps mark the boundary clearer.
I have noticed the brown appearing at the bottom of our trees too when it never did before. I'll ask the tree surgeon today on how to handle this. Looks like it's going to cost us a fair bit no matter what way we tackle this, and theres already a lot of money to be spent on our house /repairs at the moment. I honestly could cry, I feel alone with this problem and the only real help I've had is the people on here so thank you.
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That would only leave me with accepting what he has done, yes he shouldn't get away with it but the only person that is upset is you not him.
I see your trees are shapely but some are showing brown areas and all that looming bulk would depress me.
What's the depth from the front of your trees to your boundary with him. Is it possible to remove the ones within his reach and leave some?
Or maybe you would have to take them all out and erect a stout fence either on your boundary line or if that's not clear just inside your property.Then 3m away from the fence put in a row of pleached trees, or bamboo or anything that grows tall fast. Silver birch looks nice and although not evergreen the branches do obscure.
Or build an 8ft high pergola with trellis infill at the back again 3m in and grow climbers.
Life isn't fair and we don't always get what's rightfully ours justice wise, so often bullies win, because we chose to let them but sometimes we know our health and mental well being is more precious than a few trees.
Theres probably about 3 metres depth from the boundary to the front of our trees. If we did remove the ones In his reach there would probably only be about 2 or 3 short ones left. Quite a lot are within his reach given this latest job. He doesn't respect the original boundary posts, but I will admit they are in between the trees in both our gardens. The neighbours either side have trees too but they have got a clearer fence in between to perhaps mark the boundary clearer.
I have noticed the brown appearing at the bottom of our trees too when it never did before. I'll ask the tree surgeon today on how to handle this. Looks like it's going to cost us a fair bit no matter what way we tackle this, and theres already a lot of money to be spent on our house /repairs at the moment. I honestly could cry, I feel alone with this problem and the only real help I've had is the people on here so thank you.