Please tell her that she shouldn’t be removing birds’ nesting habitat just now. I’m not sure of the legality of it but know it is not advisable.
Really good point, I didn't think of that. If there's an active nest then it's illegal to interfere with it (a couple of summers ago tree surgeons came to prune one of my plum trees and left saying they couldn't touch it because there was a pigeon's nest there - even winged vermin can't be disturbed!)
But I would try a friendly conversation first (maybe your neighbour imagines she's doing you a favour by removing it.. and maybe she also doesn't want to spend on 50% of a new fence), before raising the issue of legality.
I bit the bullet and went to introduce myself! (Have lived here just over 2 years but keep myself to myself as does she so weve never done much more than smile at each other)
Regarding the birds she said she waited until this time of year especially and has checked and cant see any nests? But i do know the birds i feed take their food back there. Whether theyre in the ivy or a huge butterfly bush of hers (about 15foot tall!) I dont know so will have to check.
I explained the housing are saying its a shared ownership of the fence and wed be responsible 50/50 for it and are advising not to remove it completely due to the weakening of the fence. Im not sure she believes that as she said 25 years ago when she moved in someone climbed over a smaller fence that was in place and broke into her house so they put this fence in for her safety. The rules have probably changed since then!
I did ask what she wanted to do and she said her health is declining and shes struggling to maintain how quickly it grows and it cost her £350 to have it trimmed back last time and obviously thats quite costly. I remember that as we had ivy all on the front of our houses (which again i liked) and she had it all removed. It sounds like it was there before she moved in as its on both sides of her garden and its taken over. I said would it be okay if we trimmed it to fence height (my partner isnt too pleased as it means him having to remove a good 3/4 foot of the stuff!) And she said yes and not to worry if any falls into her garden as her daughter can dispose of that. To be honest id rather keep it slightly higher than that but beggers cant be choosers!
Im just concerned as theres other climbing plants, rose bushes, butterfly bushes etc entwined in the ivy that have also grown very very tall and she will lose alot of that.
Planning on knocking when my partners home and asking to see her garden and vice versa to determine exactly what she wants removing and what shed be okay with. Much rather spend a few weeks tackling what we can if it prevents me looking at an old damaged fence or even paying out for a boring new one! And then hopefully itll be alot easier for us both to maintain. I wasnt aware the height was an issue as it was mainly coming from her side and like i said, i like it! If we would of known last year we would of certainly helped. Hopefully now she knows were willing to help
When I had an elderly and less-able neighbour I used to cut the privet hedge on both sides and the section between her garden and the street, usually 3 times a year depending on the weather. Extra composting material for me, no worry about maintaining it for her. A similar arrangement might work if your neighbour is OK about you going into her garden to do it. You could maybe offer to tidy up the overgrown shrubs after the ivy's been cut back close to the fence as well if it's only the maintenance that worries her.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Yes a really good thing @jennyj and others have said the same sort of thing. It may not take too long to trim it if done a few times a year. Even if some of it has to bemor has been cut now, it would be worth leaving as many some stems ( as you feel able) , to develop flowers and berries. It is such an important plant for wildlife habitats and food for birds.
Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus
The simple answer to whether it will survive or not is that it depends where the roots are. Everything which starts from her side will obviously die if it is cut off at ground level.
I disagree that ivy does not damage a fence, it can do from it's sheer weight.
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Yes, definitely offering to trim it would be my option too.
But I would try a friendly conversation first (maybe your neighbour imagines she's doing you a favour by removing it.. and maybe she also doesn't want to spend on 50% of a new fence), before raising the issue of legality.
Regarding the birds she said she waited until this time of year especially and has checked and cant see any nests? But i do know the birds i feed take their food back there. Whether theyre in the ivy or a huge butterfly bush of hers (about 15foot tall!) I dont know so will have to check.
I explained the housing are saying its a shared ownership of the fence and wed be responsible 50/50 for it and are advising not to remove it completely due to the weakening of the fence. Im not sure she believes that as she said 25 years ago when she moved in someone climbed over a smaller fence that was in place and broke into her house so they put this fence in for her safety. The rules have probably changed since then!
I did ask what she wanted to do and she said her health is declining and shes struggling to maintain how quickly it grows and it cost her £350 to have it trimmed back last time and obviously thats quite costly. I remember that as we had ivy all on the front of our houses (which again i liked) and she had it all removed. It sounds like it was there before she moved in as its on both sides of her garden and its taken over. I said would it be okay if we trimmed it to fence height (my partner isnt too pleased as it means him having to remove a good 3/4 foot of the stuff!) And she said yes and not to worry if any falls into her garden as her daughter can dispose of that. To be honest id rather keep it slightly higher than that but beggers cant be choosers!
Im just concerned as theres other climbing plants, rose bushes, butterfly bushes etc entwined in the ivy that have also grown very very tall and she will lose alot of that.
Planning on knocking when my partners home and asking to see her garden and vice versa to determine exactly what she wants removing and what shed be okay with. Much rather spend a few weeks tackling what we can if it prevents me looking at an old damaged fence or even paying out for a boring new one! And then hopefully itll be alot easier for us both to maintain. I wasnt aware the height was an issue as it was mainly coming from her side and like i said, i like it! If we would of known last year we would of certainly helped. Hopefully now she knows were willing to help