cutting back of oak tree - share cost?

Birdy12

My neighbour has an oak tree in their garden which has slowly been driving me mad with the amount of leaves that end in my garden each year.

Anyway, I've checked with the council and it's not under a preservation order and I'm not in a conservation area so I'm entitled to cut back any overhanging branches.

I've also been recommended a tree surgeon who've cut down a similar tree in our road and have asked them to come round to quote.

I've been to see my neighbour (all very amicable) to let them know what I'll be doing. They told me they've done nothing to the tree since they moved in around 11 years ago and that, when I get a quote to cut back the overhanging branches, to let them know how much it would also be to 'crown' or cut back the whole tree.

If you're still with me my question is, how would you suggest sharing the cost bearing in mind that the tree is in their garden? I doubt they would've done anything about it had I not gone round to seem them so don't think they've considered cost.

Cheers, Birdy

macman

They're not obliged to contribute anything at all if you commission the work on your side. But it sounds like they're simply trying to get you to contribute to the total cost of what should be done by them.

Birdy12

macman wrote: »

They're not obliged to contribute anything at all if you commission the work on your side.

Oh, agree absolutely, we'll be carrying out the work of removing any overhanging branches regardless. It's just that, if they say yes to the removal of the tree to stump level or, at least, crowning the tree off, do you think it's acceptable to ask them to bear the cost of the whole amount? Or should we contributing in some way as we've asked for the work to be done?

I don't want to cause any bad feeling but I've also heard it's not cheap to get a tree removed (and I am so sick of all those leaves!)

OK_Sauce

You have to ask yourself would they have done anything about the tree if you had not initiated anything. Put yourself in their position and ask yourself the same question? I had a similar problem where a large eucalyptus was shading their garden and they approached me if I would mind cutting it back. Bearing in mind there were no overhanging branches and so the tree was entirely in my garden I didn't have to do anything. For the sake of keeping the neighbours happy I split the cost in half and they were happy with this. At the end of the day you want to keep the neighbours on your side. Maybe it just needs cutting back - a lot cheaper than having it down completely.

Birdy12

OK_Sauce wrote: »

Maybe it just needs cutting back - a lot cheaper than having it down completely.

Again, I agree. I didn't ask my neighbour to contribute anything when I spoke to them, I simply stated that we would be getting someone in to cut back the overhanging branches. It was their suggestion for me to get a quote to cut back the entire tree, I think he said something along the lines of 'it would look a bit silly if only one side is pruned'. I'm all for keeping neighbourly peace and harmony!

I think I'll get the company to quote for the overhanging branches only and to cut back the whole tree. Depending on what's quoted, I can then work out % ratio of overhanging braches vs whole tree (does that make sense?) and have that in mind when I give him the quote to cut back the whole tree.

Would you agree that's OK?

BTW, anyone got a ball park figure on how much to cut back an oak tree? It's about 6-7 feet taller than my typical 3 bed semi. I'm waiting for the company to come round and quote but if anyone could chuck a figure at me now, I'd be grateful.

Birdy

macman

Your neighbour is either tight-fisted, or lazy, or both. Why can't he get a quote for the work himself? Give him a phone number for the tree surgeon and let him get on with it.

Birdy12

macman wrote: »

Your neighbour is either tight-fisted, or lazy, or both. Why can't he get a quote for the work himself? Give him a phone number for the tree surgeon and let him get on with it.

My only issue is, if I don't do anything about it then it's unlikely they will. After all, they said they've lived there 11 years and haven't done anything about it yet.

I'm definitely going to go ahead with the overhanging branches, if just for the sake of sanity! It will, however, be interesting to see what the price difference is between overhanging branches only and cutting back the whole tree.

Birdy

Mojisola

You only have the right to cut the branches back to the fence line. If that's all you go ahead with, get the neighbour to agree in writing that the tree surgeon can cut the branches back to the trunk. It will look much better.

If you get an agreement to share the cost, again get it in writing and get the surgeon to charge you for your bit and the neighbour for his bit of the bill. If you pay it all, the chances of getting your money back from the neighbour are low.

sunshinetours

macman wrote: »

Your neighbour is either tight-fisted, or lazy, or both. Why can't he get a quote for the work himself? Give him a phone number for the tree surgeon and let him get on with it.

Its not causing him a problem presumably and presumably the tree is not diseased or too close to the houses and has been established long before owners moved in - what exactly do they have to do about it?

A mature oak is a lovely thing to have in a garden and clearing up some leaves once a year shouldn't really be a massive reason to cut another perectly good tree down IMO (not a dig at you Op by the way)

macman

I'm not suggesting cutting it down. But it sounds like it does needs pruning after 11 years or more, and the neighbour is just hoping that someone else will do it for him.
Mature trees are fine by me but they do need care and maintenance.

Mankysteve

Birdy12 wrote: »

I'm all for keeping neighbourly peace and harmony!

While in a perfect world your neighbour should bear most of the cost. The worlds not prefect and neighbourly peace harmony for weighs above the cost aspects.