What would you do - tree

societys_child

Fencing that's difficult to climb over is expensive

Doesn't have to be. Concertina type trellis, attached to the top of existing fence, although quite flimsy would be very difficult to climb over (without damaging it)

SuzieSue

Davesnave wrote: »

This answer is so wrong, it beggars belief.

.

There is no right or wrong. The OP has asked for opinions of what we would do and I have told her. You are entitled to your opinion just as I am entitled to mine.

Ivana_Tinkle

When you meet the neighbour on the boundary, as well as asking them if they've seen the vandals that the police are investigating, mention that actually the criminals have done you a favour as they've cleared a space for that row of leylandii you've always wanted.

findingnemo^^

SuzieSue wrote: »

I can understand how you feel and your neighbours shouldn't have done what they did, however, you really haven't lost anything. I feel sorry for your neighbours if their garden was being shaded by the trees for years and your vendors hadn't done anything about it.

The only person you should be feeling sorry for is the OP, she has suffered criminal damage to her new home. I think the worst thing is that somebody has purposely trespassed onto their land, I wouldn't want that kind of intrusion when moving home (which should be a joyous occasion, not a time for worrying which neighbour has caused criminal damage to their property)

I think it says a lot a more about you that you are almost condoning criminal damage, all in my opinion of course

SuzieSue

findingnemo^^ wrote: »

The only person you should be feeling sorry for is the OP, she has suffered criminal damage to her new home. I think the worst thing is that somebody has purposely trespassed onto their land, I wouldn't want that kind of intrusion when moving home (which should be a joyous occasion, not a time for worrying which neighbour has caused criminal damage to their property)

I think it says a lot a more about you that you are almost condoning criminal damage, all in my opinion of course

Of course I feel sorry for the OP which is why I said I understood how she felt.

I can also feel sorry for someone whose life has been affected by the previous owners (if the neighbours were even responsible which we have not proof of).

Of course you are entitled to your opinion, but I fail to see how me saying that her new neighbours shouldn't have done what they did is condoning criminal damage. But, again , you are entitled to your opinion.

Davesnave

SuzieSue wrote: »

There is no right or wrong. The OP has asked for opinions of what we would do and I have told her. You are entitled to your opinion just as I am entitled to mine.

Yes, we're entitled to our opinions, but I thought it wrong for you to tell the OP she'd lost nothing, and I stand by that.

You were probably trying to make her feel better, but it sounded as if you felt she was making a fuss over a triviality.

Neither you nor I can know what's been lost here. I doubt if the OP knows yet either, but we can hope that this memory will fade as happy times in the house replace it.

harrup

helenut wrote: »

[SIZE=2

Just after opinions really, if you were in this situation, what would you do? And seeing as it happened a while ago now, is it too late to take action?
[/SIZE]

Not what you want to hear.....but I think the timeframe to notify the authorities has passed. They would have justifiable cause to question why you waited that long.

Secondly, and this is just one other possibility, it MIGHT be that whichever neighbour did this cut down your tree and bushes with the full blessing of the previous owner.

For example: say neighbour A has had a longstanding issue with the shade cast from the oak tree and/or bushes. He thus approaches your vendor asking whether he would reduce them/ cut them down. Vendor doesn't want to cut tree...but also doesn't want to declare a dispute which could sabotage the sale....thus strings neighbour A along with the promise that when he sells the house he can chop whatever he wants.

House sale goes through - neighbour gleefully lops tree and, whilst he is at it, makes mincemeat of any other vegetation which bothers him.

Or...neighbour A has asked a long time ago, vendor fully consented to cutting tree....but then neighbour/vendor didn't get round to doing it. And then it was a case of a hasty " its either now or never" frantic cutting down session before the new buyer - you - moved in.

To me, that is a more plausible scenario than an opportunistic neighbour surrepticiously cutting down a huge tree in the dark of the night.

Plus, it would explain why no one purported to have seen "anything untoward" when you asked around. It wasn't considered a wrongdoing since they had asked for, and were given, permission.....just the person who gave it was no longer the rightful owner by the time the work was carried out.

I suppose you could get in touch with the vendor and clarify whether this was indeed the case - but what would this accomplish? The trees and bushes have gone, the vendor may or may not tell you the truth, and in any event, your new neighbours are your neighbours for the forseeable future. Is it worth starting out with your hackles up over an issue which can't be rectified and reversed?

Having said all that - you have my full sympathy. It is VERY disappointing to buy a property with a lovely garden...only to see it altered.

helenut

I want to thank everyone for their opinions - it's nice to hear a mixed bag. As it has been said we have no proof! I won't be moving in for another month so I think I will just replant the area with some nice bushes when I can.
I don't want to be unreasonable with my new neighbours as I plan on living here for a long time to come. I will pop round for a chat once I'm all settled (if I ever get settled!) to discuss anything garden-related that might be bothering them and see what happens from there.

I was just a bit angry when it happened and wanted justice (ha!) but I can see now that I don't really want any trouble - I just want to enjoy my new home!

Thanks everyone xx

couponqueen123

Catherine_Johnson wrote: »

Sue who exactly? The OP doesn't know who did the damage.

its very clear who did it or payed some one to do it ? dont think we need Sherlock to come solve this one

Mojisola

couponqueen123 wrote: »

its very clear who did it or payed some one to do it ? dont think we need Sherlock to come solve this one

It might be obvious but it isn't provable - that why it's difficult to take any legal action.