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Cutting back neighbours trees/plants
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[Deleted User]
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A few of my neighbours trees are over hanging quite a lot in my garden, they are very nice fruit trees but appear to be more on our side than the neighbours. In the summer they block a lot of light and leave lots of fruit on the ground. There is also a lot of Passion Flower. Although I really like them I want to cut them back this winter. I have 'googled' the issue and it appears that I can cut back anything our side of the fence but I thought you guys might have some ideas of the best way to go about this? I dont want to upset the neighbours!!
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you are allowed to cut back that which overhangs your property , but you must OFFER it back. You can't chuck it back over the fence, you can't harvest apples, for example if they overhang.
I'd have a chat with your neighbour first , just to let them know what you're planning.
I would talk to your neighbours first. Explain what you would like to do and why. They may be concerned with loss of privacy etc and need reassurance or be grateful that you are willing to do a job for them...They may offer to cut back themselves or give you the go ahead to do whatever you like...but better to speak to them before you take the saw to something as it can not be reattached!!
What kind of fruit trees are they? Cherries need pruned in summer, apples in winter or disease can set into tree in the case of cherries for example.
One of the rules(as I understand it) is whatever overhangs into your property belongs to your neighbours and should be returned to them - I think this could end up causing more issues so I usually dipose of any prunings coming over the fence myself instead of throwing them back over the fence!
When we moved in our new house 12 months ago the first thing we did was find out did our neighbor like Tea or Coffee," Coffee in the morning and Tea in the afternoon ,drop o milk no sugar, he said 12 months later hes got 2 of our trees in his garden iv got cuttings of lavender and Hydrangea from him,he picked me up when i fell through the greenhouse and we have a laugh hes a gooden, If it was me i would go round and ask him if he could come round and show you how to cut the overhangs as you dont want to damage His Lovely Trees, what can he do youv got him by the short ones,when he sees the problem if hes got anything about him he will help do it ,Go4it
I agree, you can cut down anything on your side but it is always best to pop round and speak to them first.
Thank you very much for the advice everyone, I will pop round and ask her if she would like to come and have a look - I think my neighbour has had her garden landscaped and has various different gardeners round to do the work at her place so I dont want to go in chopping off things that I shouldnt!
There is an apple tree and I think is a damson tree? and various other bushes an plants (I have soooo much to learn!!!)
Sounds like you have great neighbours Alan! I am sure I will have a positive response.