We had leylandii right down our drive when we moved in. Neighbours built an extension and the leylandii were blamed for later subsidence. Their insurance company footed the bill to remove the lot from our property.
I was dancing with joy.
Turned out it was actually a willow not on our property that was causing the problem for them, still glad the leylandii went though.
The point is John I very much agree with everyone above, the best solution by far would be for it to go completely. Cutting branches off now won't harm the tree other than giving it severe future cosmetic issues, but cutting it at the base will finish the problem for good. If the neighbour is not interested, talk to your insurance company if it poses a risk to structures in your garden a letter from them should see it swiftly disappear.
Agree with everyone, apart from Mike (hosepipes!!!!!!), we had massive conifers which we cut drastically every August and January and every year they flourished beyond belief. Thank goodness they have now gone for ever. Still have a few left, in a different area which are cut, August and January, and just trying to get organised/motivated to get rid of them.
We have a lovely Leylandii hedge which is very healthy on our side because we trim in March and September. On the other side it has been hacked off randomly in the summer by a succession of neighbours who have then moved on. Not a green twig on that side so that's how to care for them OR NOT.We love it and so do the birds .....it's full of nests and babies in the spring .
Thanks for the replies. I was a little busy yesterday and so only just had time to check back.
I will definitely be chopping back more than a year's growth of this tree. What the photo doesn't who you is something far uglier. My wife and I are radio amateurs and there is a large aerial very close to this tree. We had to obtain permission to have the aerial installed and the neighbour in question does not have any problems with it. She finds it fascinating (or so she says! ;O).
The aerial is on a large rotator and when the aerial is facing south it runs right into the tree itself as I tend to lower the mast at this time of year. This is the main reason for chopping back some of the branches. The neighbour did this for us in the summer so she obviously wants to keep things trimmed on our side.
As for letting the conifer go, well, it provides a nice bit of privacy on that side which I think we all value.
Thanks again for all your replies. All points duly noted.
Gosh Pansy, you must be as old as me! Absolutely love Tony Hancock, very misunderstood man.
Mike, I dont think anyone would have picked you up on your comment if you hadnt started it 'no disrespects to forum members' making it look like no one else knows anything. Its very rude.
Please learn.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
I certainly understand how much you value privacy Triple J. When our lleylandii were taken out, complete with roots, it gave me an extra 30 square meters of garden which I have enjoyed digging with sand, grit and manure. However, a lot of privacy has gone with the trees. On the far side of our new fence is an unadopted road and I have enjoyed planting shrubs which will be tall in summer to give privacy. Just want them to grow quickly. Not really bothered about winter as I'm a fair weather gardener but if a few neighbours want to look into my kitchen from their bedrooms they are able..
Well, a little more information .. We are 'new kids on the block' and are coming up to our first year at this address. We have been treading carefully after having particularly bad neighbours at our previous address. All the neighbours on our little close here seem to be very agreeable so far and we have now met and chatted with them all. So far so good.
The conifer blocks what would be OUR view into the neighbour's bungalow so I would guess she appreciates the privacy this tree offers more than us.
I am pleased this has turned into a nice, friendly conversation. My experience of web forums has been very mixed over the years, but I must say this one seems really friendly so far.
As for Tony Hancock ... a comedy genius well ahead of his time! I am a big fan of modern and alternative humour too but I think Tony Hancock's brand still stands up well today. I have lots of Hancock's Half Hour shows on cassette tape.
Just a couple more weeks and the nights should slowly begin to shorten. Roll on spring!
The loss of privacy was the issue for us too when the leylandii went - though the amount of drive we can use is much wider now. I've still to remove the stumps but I think a nice native hedge along there will soon bring back the privacy and be great for nesting birds too. Far more aesthetic to my eyes and a lot easier to maintain into the bargain.
Posts
We had leylandii right down our drive when we moved in. Neighbours built an extension and the leylandii were blamed for later subsidence. Their insurance company footed the bill to remove the lot from our property.
I was dancing with joy.
Turned out it was actually a willow not on our property that was causing the problem for them, still glad the leylandii went though.
The point is John I very much agree with everyone above, the best solution by far would be for it to go completely. Cutting branches off now won't harm the tree other than giving it severe future cosmetic issues, but cutting it at the base will finish the problem for good. If the neighbour is not interested, talk to your insurance company if it poses a risk to structures in your garden a letter from them should see it swiftly disappear.
Agree with everyone, apart from Mike (hosepipes!!!!!!), we had massive conifers which we cut drastically every August and January and every year they flourished beyond belief. Thank goodness they have now gone for ever. Still have a few left, in a different area which are cut, August and January, and just trying to get organised/motivated to get rid of them.
We have a lovely Leylandii hedge which is very healthy on our side because we trim in March and September. On the other side it has been hacked off randomly in the summer by a succession of neighbours who have then moved on. Not a green twig on that side so that's how to care for them OR NOT.We love it and so do the birds .....it's full of nests and babies in the spring .
I would give it a serious trim Now but cut back to main trunk , cutting into brown wood means no more growth and it can look really messy
Long term it should come out , wrong place but if not possible keep it well trimmed
Best of luck
Thanks for the replies. I was a little busy yesterday and so only just had time to check back.
I will definitely be chopping back more than a year's growth of this tree. What the photo doesn't who you is something far uglier. My wife and I are radio amateurs and there is a large aerial very close to this tree. We had to obtain permission to have the aerial installed and the neighbour in question does not have any problems with it. She finds it fascinating (or so she says! ;O).
The aerial is on a large rotator and when the aerial is facing south it runs right into the tree itself as I tend to lower the mast at this time of year. This is the main reason for chopping back some of the branches. The neighbour did this for us in the summer so she obviously wants to keep things trimmed on our side.
As for letting the conifer go, well, it provides a nice bit of privacy on that side which I think we all value.
Thanks again for all your replies. All points duly noted.
Best wishes!
John
Gosh Pansy, you must be as old as me! Absolutely love Tony Hancock, very misunderstood man.
Mike, I dont think anyone would have picked you up on your comment if you hadnt started it 'no disrespects to forum members' making it look like no one else knows anything. Its very rude.
Please learn.
I certainly understand how much you value privacy Triple J. When our lleylandii were taken out, complete with roots, it gave me an extra 30 square meters of garden which I have enjoyed digging with sand, grit and manure. However, a lot of privacy has gone with the trees. On the far side of our new fence is an unadopted road and I have enjoyed planting shrubs which will be tall in summer to give privacy. Just want them to grow quickly. Not really bothered about winter as I'm a fair weather gardener but if a few neighbours want to look into my kitchen from their bedrooms they are able..
Thanks for the messages again.
Well, a little more information .. We are 'new kids on the block' and are coming up to our first year at this address. We have been treading carefully after having particularly bad neighbours at our previous address. All the neighbours on our little close here seem to be very agreeable so far and we have now met and chatted with them all. So far so good.
The conifer blocks what would be OUR view into the neighbour's bungalow so I would guess she appreciates the privacy this tree offers more than us.
I am pleased this has turned into a nice, friendly conversation. My experience of web forums has been very mixed over the years, but I must say this one seems really friendly so far.
As for Tony Hancock ... a comedy genius well ahead of his time! I am a big fan of modern and alternative humour too but I think Tony Hancock's brand still stands up well today. I have lots of Hancock's Half Hour shows on cassette tape.
Just a couple more weeks and the nights should slowly begin to shorten. Roll on spring!
The loss of privacy was the issue for us too when the leylandii went - though the amount of drive we can use is much wider now. I've still to remove the stumps but I think a nice native hedge along there will soon bring back the privacy and be great for nesting birds too. Far more aesthetic to my eyes and a lot easier to maintain into the bargain.