Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Overhanging neighbours trees

sunflower888sunflower888 Posts: 50
in Problem solving

Hi,

At the back of my garden, but in the neighbours garden are 3 very huge (about 1.5 times the height of a normal house) sycamore trees. Their branches and seeds are overhanging my garden cutting out light, dropping seeds and drinking the soil dry at the back and also now causing a concrete path to break, its lifted about 3 cms in the crack, presumably the roots.

What can I do? Or am I entitled to do. I am worried the branches could come down on me and are pretty big.

Thanks.

«1345

Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,905

    Hi sunflower. Legally you can only cut back any branches overhanging your property.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • sunflower888sunflower888 Posts: 50
    But they are high up and very out of reach, it will likely be a costly job for someone.
    Can I recover this cost?
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    begs the question:

    didn't you notice those trees before you moved there?

    Devon.
  • sunflower888sunflower888 Posts: 50

    Hi, I didn't realise the impact they were at the back of a 100ft garden. Initially I thought they werenice as it gives privacy. It's only the summers after that I realised they drink the soil dry and have been growing huge when I have been gardening or trying to under/around them.

  • sunflower888sunflower888 Posts: 50

    When I asked the council, they said the trees are on private land and so nothing to do with them.

    Yes lots of leaves, which I don't mind as I compost those, but the seeds are a nightmare as it's u can see in front is a normal sized apple tree.image

    Last edited: 01 August 2016 19:26:50

  • sunflower888sunflower888 Posts: 50
    "Doghouse Riley says:

    I think sycamore trees are magnificent too. We've a few hundred of them on my golf course, but they aren't  suitable for a suburban garden.

    Long-term they can become a hazard and in the intervening years cause a lot of annoyance to people, particularly when they are in next door's garden."

    ------------

    Exactly. I'm not one for cutting any trees down where possible. But these are 3 planted close together at the very back of the fence of the garden behind. The branches are too thick to use any cutters they'd have to be sawn.

    I'm actually worried being under it, because the branches are so huge and if any dropped would easily cause you to be knocked out or worse. I'll take a photo tomorrow of the view closer up. But they totally cut out tonnes of light, but worse is the concrete path is now broken in two places and the ground which should be two vegetable patches as these 3 huge trees drink the soil dry.

    Sycamores are a bit boring they never have any pretty flowers, and on a golf course probably look nice in space, and greenery, at the back of the garden these three are monsters and now a nuisance. The roots of even one much be huge.

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601

    My garden used to be a field. It contains mature trees, some near the boundary of the next field. Fifteen years ago, new houses were built on what had been grazing land and their occupants complained about the trees. I have not felt very sympathetic towards these people - the trees were there first. However, I am a responsible citizen and when  a poplar came down in a storm we had the other two inspected and removed as they became unsafe. If you talk politely to your sycamore owner they might allow you to have the trees professionally inspected for safety and if there is a problem, agree to remove all or part of the trees. However, they may ask you to help with the cost, which will be considerable. If the trees are safe, I suggest enjoying them as they are: remove the concrete path and rise to the challenge of gardening  in a patch of dry shade. The fallen leaves will make excellent, free compost.

  • sunflower888sunflower888 Posts: 50

    Yes thats what I tried to do, but the amount of lost light, dry ground as little rain gets through the canopy and then the dry ground when it sucks it dry means it's unusable, I'd have to constantly water it.

    I don't think the cost is going to reasonable so it's hard to meet that cost.

    Are their trees not their responsibilty? e.g. if something drops from that tree and causes damage what then?

    How much do I allow my concrete path to break up due to the roots which must be underneath causing it.

    I will speak to the new neighbour behind.

  • Danae(dan-Ah-ee)Danae(dan-Ah-ee) Posts: 966

    Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to visit your local CAB for some responsible advice. 

    I live opposite a park and, trust me, I know the mess myriads of fallen leaves make, but I chose to live where I do and the trees were there many, many years before me.

    I vaguely recall an article published by Which? several yers ago, you can cut overhanging branches but unless a tree is a real danger to your buildings, you cannot demand its removal.  However, it's quite possible that I'm misremsmbering; so, CAB for correct advice.  Good luck!

    Last edited: 01 August 2016 23:38:08

  • WaysideWayside Posts: 845

    My neighbour when I moved in moaned that people shouldn't plant full sized trees in small gardens.  And I think I've come around to that advice.  With perhaps the exception of the very back of the garden, or centre of the garden.  But taking into account of those around you, and the eventual size.

    So I've taken out a few trees this year, which I was rather reluctant to do at first.

    However, the same neighbour has the largest sycamore on the street, and it's growing larger, and larger, and larger.  It's taking over, spanning the top end of the garden and covered in ivy.

    A pro. gardener said to me, not to worry about it, as the Ivy would have it down soon, but I do fear for the day it tumbles!

    At the same time, I appreciate its majesty.  A problem is that it seeds everywhere.  I now have quite a nice young but large sycamore thriving in the hedgerow.  It wasn't that big last year, but has suddenly grown.  Given  a few years and I'll have a monster too.  Looking at the woodland close by, there are other large sycamores, so it's likely that my neighbour's flew in, in the first place, probably like yours.

    I think you are onto a loosing battle trying to fight/trim them.  Better to offer the money for removal if it bothers you that much.  Perhaps your neighbour will meet halfway.

    Your neighbour could coppice them every few years if they are still wanted.

    I can sympathise, a patch of my garden that is dry, doesn't stand much of a chance against that sycamore.  The plus side is the green waste, and the amount of wild life it supports, which is colossal.

Sign In or Register to comment.