Need some advice regarding large trees very near property.

metroman

Hi everyone

We are in the process of purchasing a property and are due to exchange contracts in the next day or so (fingers crossed)

We had a full structural survey, and the surveyor mentioned that in order to protect the building, all trees that he deems being too close to the property should be stopped from growing any further by cutting them back or even having them felled.

There are 3 very large conifers on the front boundary approx 5 metres away from the property, one of which we are allowed to deal with, but the other 2 are in the neighbours garden.

Once a few months have passed and we are settled in, I am just wondering how to go about discussing the results of the structural survey in the hope that they would share our concerns and hopefully take some action ... This might end up being quite difficult as I have been told by our vendor that one of the guys living next door would probably oppose the idea altogether, whereas the other one wouldnt mind seeing them taken down.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

LandyAndy

What is 'very large'?

How tall are they?

5 metres is a reasonable distance, particularly for conifers, unless they are really very tall.

Personally I would take down the one you own and ask the neighbours to do the same. Even if the 'nice' neighbour says yes and the 'nasty' neighbour says no I think you should be Ok.

I had some very tall trees, taller than the house, growing that close when I moved in. They didn't seem to have affected the house and the surveyor didn't comment. One of my neighbours was very happy when I had them cut down, though.

slummymummyof3

If the neighbour is difficult, you could mention the term 'vicarious liability' - as in they would be held liable for damage caused to the property by their overgrown trees - clearly you would want to use this as a last course of action. Perhaps ask the current owner to get it sorted out as a condition of the sale? Or show the neighbour your survey?

metroman

Thankyou both for your replies.

The trees are all approx 15 metres high, one of them possibly even higher, and of course they are still growing.

I will definitely be taking the one down in our garden, because as far as im concerned, the less water being sucked out of the ground the better, plus it will let more light into our North Facing Frontage.

barrymoney

I would also get the advice of a tree expert - sometimes its best to leave a tree there if it is well established. They might advice cutting back every year is better.

Fire_Fox

Why don't you ask your solicitor to write to the neighbours as part of the conveyancing process? It will look official, liability can be mentioned without it looking too officious as it's obvious you would have a solicitor for conveyanving.

penguine

I would get the advice of a tree expert before cutting down a tree "just in case", or potentially starting an antagonistic relationship with the neighbours over a tree that might not ever cause any problems.

See for more info:

www.tree-care.info/advice/subsidence

MunnyBoiler

Hello

I would get a 2nd opinion from a tree expert. If they also suppport the need for the trees to be removed, then this would be good evidence to back up any discussions you have with your neighbours.

When my OH sold his house, the surveyor for the buyer had concerns about a tree a few yards away from the house, but they were more concerned about the roots damaging the foundations. The buyer then asked for a tree expert to have a look and they were more concerned about the fact the tree was diseased and might fall down when in advanced stage of disease. Therefore, as it wasn't too big, we simply cut it down ourselves.