Have you talked to your local Council at all? I am wondering if the conifers could be classified as a hedge as there is more than two of them (four?) and might therefore come under the hedge height restriction act i.e. 2 metres for leylandii. It might be worth a try, if not now, then when lockdown is ended. You have the legal right to cut any overhanging branches back to the boundary line (as long as you offer the cuttings back to the neighbour) so I would get a quote from a qualified reputable tree surgeon to see if that might be affordable. Good luck.
Thanks for your input @Lizzie@Lizzie27 It might be something to consider, a call to the council. There are 4 trees I think. I have nothing to lose, as At this stage I don't think my relationship with my neighbour is anything I feel I need to preserve. I have at least learnt a little bit more about his willingness to consider others. A sad day really. 🙁 I might also think about doing the cutting back to the boundary myself. Wish me luck!
I think pretty much all councils have a charge to investigate issues relating to the High Hedges / ASBO regulations and it's normally north of £600 so for many it is prohibitive to pursue.
@justandnobodyelse, It also occurs to me this morning that a letter to your neighbour, pointing out that because two of the conifers are dead and therefore could be dangerous, you will hold him legally liable if any damage occurs to you or your property. You could add that you couldn't believe they were not removed when the contractors were there as it was obvious the trees were dead. Just might give him pause for thought and you might be lucky enough to have those two trees removed which would improve the view.
However, don't underestimate just how much hard work and amount of debris cutting the overhang off will take. You will need a chainsaw to do it and they are not for the fainthearted. I know it will be more expensive to have a contractor do it, but it does save an awful lot of time and hard work, especially disposing of the debris.
I would cut back to the boundary. I've done this with a small section of conifer hedge that my neighbours gardeners don't ever do, as it had grown 5-6 foot into my garden and was overshadowing plants. Two of those conifers look dead in the photos and any good tree surgeon would have removed or cut to a safe height.
Thank you @Fairygirl@JennyJ for your continued suggestions and encouragement. A reduced canopy with the eyesore taken back to the boundary Is my only viable option I think. I have more time than money at present so will invest in a chain saw of some description To help me along.
Have you talked to your local Council at all? I am wondering if the conifers could be classified as a hedge as there is more than two of them (four?) and might therefore come under the hedge height restriction act i.e. 2 metres for leylandii. It might be worth a try, if not now, then when lockdown is ended. You have the legal right to cut any overhanging branches back to the boundary line (as long as you offer the cuttings back to the neighbour) so I would get a quote from a qualified reputable tree surgeon to see if that might be affordable. Good luck.
Thanks for your input @Lizzie@Lizzie27 It might be something to consider, a call to the council. There are 4 trees I think. I have nothing to lose, as At this stage I don't think my relationship with my neighbour is anything I feel I need to preserve. I have at least learnt a little bit more about his willingness to consider others. A sad day really. 🙁 I might also think about doing the cutting back to the boundary myself. Wish me luck!
I think pretty much all councils have a charge to investigate issues relating to the High Hedges / ASBO regulations and it's normally north of £600 so for many it is prohibitive to pursue.
Unfortunately I can’t justify spending that kind of money on this problem, taking on the cutting back Myself seems the only likely solution.
@justandnobodyelse, It also occurs to me this morning that a letter to your neighbour, pointing out that because two of the conifers are dead and therefore could be dangerous, you will hold him legally liable if any damage occurs to you or your property. You could add that you couldn't believe they were not removed when the contractors were there as it was obvious the trees were dead. Just might give him pause for thought and you might be lucky enough to have those two trees removed which would improve the view.
However, don't underestimate just how much hard work and amount of debris cutting the overhang off will take. You will need a chainsaw to do it and they are not for the fainthearted. I know it will be more expensive to have a contractor do it, but it does save an awful lot of time and hard work, especially disposing of the debris.
Thanks again for your advice @Lizzie27 Unfortunately i cannot see the trees owner responding well to a letter regardless of its content. He has previously upset other neighbours by his arrogance and disregard for others feelings on this matter and others. The best I can hope for is a new neighbour at some point. For somebody to invest so little Thought or effort in to how his neighbours are affected by some of his actions, he probably does not see this house as a long term interest. I have never had any neighbour related problems Previously and have found the situation difficult.
They do not affect him so that is the end of the matter. 😩
I will have to look into a couple of suitable tools to help me do the Cutting to the boundary job myself. I am certainly not looking forward to it and know that the waste from the trees will be a massive pain to get rid of. Little and often will have to be the way forward. Starting with all the dead sections visible from the house.
I will have to browse some of the chainsaw and shredder threads on here!
Thank you @Fairygirl@JennyJ for your continued suggestions and encouragement. A reduced canopy with the eyesore taken back to the boundary Is my only viable option I think. I have more time than money at present so will invest in a chain saw of some description To help me along.
Unfortunately I can’t justify spending that kind of money on this problem, taking on the cutting back Myself seems the only likely solution.
I will have to look into a couple of suitable tools to help me do the Cutting to the boundary job myself. I am certainly not looking forward to it and know that the waste from the trees will be a massive pain to get rid of. Little and often will have to be the way forward. Starting with all the dead sections visible from the house.
I will have to browse some of the chainsaw and shredder threads on here!
Even though the top of the tree has been taken out I would estimate it is still 18/20' high (looking at it against your 6' fence). That is quite a height to be operating a chainsaw from. You'll need an (expensive) A/combination-ladder and the expense of a chainsaw (plus a shredder). I appreciate money is a consideration but so is your health. I would see how much a tree surgeon would be to do the job versus the outlay on kit and associated risk.
Even though the top of the tree has been taken out I would estimate it is still 18/20' high (looking at it against your 6' fence). That is quite a height to be operating a chainsaw from. You'll need an (expensive) A/combination-ladder and the expense of a chainsaw (plus a shredder). I appreciate money is a consideration but so is your health. I would see how much a tree surgeon would be to do the job versus the outlay on kit and associated risk.
I take your point, I don't fancy taking my head off! I know it's difficult to make suggestions on costs but what kind of prices do tree workers charge? I know that is a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" type of question! Has anyone had any similar work taken on lately?
Even though the top of the tree has been taken out I would estimate it is still 18/20' high (looking at it against your 6' fence). That is quite a height to be operating a chainsaw from. You'll need an (expensive) A/combination-ladder and the expense of a chainsaw (plus a shredder). I appreciate money is a consideration but so is your health. I would see how much a tree surgeon would be to do the job versus the outlay on kit and associated risk.
I take your point, I don't fancy taking my head off! I know it's difficult to make suggestions on costs but what kind of prices do tree workers charge? I know that is a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" type of question! Has anyone had any similar work taken on lately?
I would think to trim that conifer(s) straight up in line with your fence would be less than the cost of a combination ladder (£150), a Chainsaw (£150) and a shredder (£150). Give a couple of local tree surgeons a call. They will give you a free estimate. I appreciate your neighbour appears to be a bit of a so-and-so but out of courtesy (even though it hasn't been extended to yourself) you should let him know of your intentions and ask him if he would like the cuttings. The mantra is that is the correct procedure to follow. Just remember any green of the conifer on your side will be gone and your view will be of the branches only which is not the prettiest of sights. It won't grow back.
If you do intend to buy a chainsaw (and I don't recommend it for beginners), you must also invest all the proper safety gear as well, safety gloves, visor, safety boots and preferably the reinforced trousers as well. They can literally be lethal machines if you are not used to them. We bought a small one a few years ago just to do a lot of shrubs but it frightened the life out of me and my OH doesn't much like using it even now.
Our neighbour had some conifers taken down, but not all of them because she said she could only afford so many days’ worth of labour which, I think she said, was £400 a day. I thought that was quite cheap. My guess is that the estimate for trimming all the overhang and taking it away will be in the region of £700 - £900.
Thankyou @Dave Humby for the advice. I think I could deal with looking at the dead brown wood from next to my shed as at least the trees would not be visible from the house once trimmed.
thankyou too @Lizzie27 I have lots to consider regarding my own safety.
thanks @BenCotto it was that sort of cost that I was fearing. I guess making local enquiries is the only sure way to confirm the price though.
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It also occurs to me this morning that a letter to your neighbour, pointing out that because two of the conifers are dead and therefore could be dangerous, you will hold him legally liable if any damage occurs to you or your property. You could add that you couldn't believe they were not removed when the contractors were there as it was obvious the trees were dead. Just might give him pause for thought and you might be lucky enough to have those two trees removed which would improve the view.
However, don't underestimate just how much hard work and amount of debris cutting the overhang off will take. You will need a chainsaw to do it and they are not for the fainthearted. I know it will be more expensive to have a contractor do it, but it does save an awful lot of time and hard work, especially disposing of the debris.
thankyou too @Lizzie27 I have lots to consider regarding my own safety.
thanks @BenCotto it was that sort of cost that I was fearing. I guess making local enquiries is the only sure way to confirm the price though.