Gardens, over hanging trees and neighbours

Excited13

Hi

I bought a house in August and introduced myself to both sets of neighbours. Next door (not attached) is a lovely gentleman who always says hello and his family are also very polite when they come and see him. The other neighbour (other side of my semi) were very rude when I went to introduce myself and nothing more has been said.

This morning I'm sat in my living room watching TV when the couple next door have come out to pick some apples off the tree. No big deal but they are hanging over the dividing fence onto my land. I would much rather they had knocked on the door (admittedly I am normally out during the day) and I'd have let them into my garden.

Now to the main issue they have several trees and plants which over hang the fence. In the spring I intend to get the garden sorted and redone. Can I instruct whoever I employee to cut everything back to their side of the fence? The back of the garden is starting to look overgrown due to all their trees, bushes etc and in the summer I want to look out on a nice neat garden not everything which is overgrowing from next door.

I really don't want to start an argument with the neighbours as this is meant to be a long term home for me and they seem to lived in their house for over 20 years but previous attempts to be friendly have been met with a very frosty reception.

moneyistooshorttomention

Sorry to hear of the frosty reception there, but guess that's just the way that cookie has crumbled and you might get lucky and get new neighbours there at some point.

Anyways, the legal position is basically that people are entitled to cut back overhanging trees/bushes/etc back to the border but are expected to offer the "trimmings" back to the owner of the trees/bushes/etc concerned.

Upshot being that, since they are leaning over the fence into your territory to get the apples from the overhanging branches, then they will doubtless expect back those particular "trimmings". I wouldn't bother myself in their position and would just say to the neighbour (ie yourself) that if they left my trees as they were then they could have the overhanging apples and hope they wouldn't trim my trees back to the fence. I doubt that household would take that view by the sound of it:cool:

lavalamp

Just a note that apple trees should be trimmed in the winter while they are dormant - you could harm the tree if you cut in spring... I would check with them first - they may want to have it done themselves?

Excited13

lavalamp wrote: »

Just a note that apple trees should be trimmed in the winter while they are dormant - you could harm the tree if you cut in spring... I would check with them first - they may want to have it done themselves?

Thank you I had no idea that they should be trimmed at a certain time. I think I'll have to go and talk to her if she'll answer the door to me!!

DominicJ_2

I would certainly trim my fruit trees in winter, but invasive plants from neighboring land are fair game in my view.

BornAtTheRightTime

DominicJ wrote: »

I would certainly trim my fruit trees in winter, but invasive plants from neighboring land are fair game in my view.

A notable exception to this is plum trees. Prune these in summer only!

Hermoine

I've just moved somewhere with such a lovely neighbour that he apologised for his trees overhanging into my garden, and chopped them back without me asking him to do so!

In the interests of peaceable relations, I would agree that you should contact your neighbours sooner rather than later and advise them that you are planning to do up your garden in the spring, and would like to cut back their trees and shrubs which are overhanging. They therefore have a chance to cut them back themselves. I have to say that it sounds as if a screen of trees etc between your two gardens might be a good idea in the circumstances!

Mojisola

Hermoine wrote: »

In the interests of peaceable relations, I would agree that you should contact your neighbours sooner rather than later and advise them that you are planning to do up your garden in the spring, and would like to cut back their trees and shrubs which are overhanging.

They therefore have a chance to cut them back themselves. I have to say that it sounds as if a screen of trees etc between your two gardens might be a good idea in the circumstances!

I would say "and will be cutting back their trees and shrubs".

Don't word it as if they have any say in whether it happens or not.

phoebe1989seb

Hermoine wrote: »

I've just moved somewhere with such a lovely neighbour that he apologised for his trees overhanging into my garden, and chopped them back without me asking him to do so!

In the interests of peaceable relations, I would agree that you should contact your neighbours sooner rather than later and advise them that you are planning to do up your garden in the spring, and would like to cut back their trees and shrubs which are overhanging. They therefore have a chance to cut them back themselves. I have to say that it sounds as if a screen of trees etc between your two gardens might be a good idea in the circumstances!

I agree with the sentiment expressed in the last sentence

I personally love having trees/large shrubs as screening between us and our neighbours' gardens, and whilst I have no issues with the current neighbours (although the house on one side is empty and has been for the two years since we bought ours, so don't know what future residents will be like ), I wouldn't want to be able to see into their gardens.....or for them to see into ours and am therefore grateful for the large, established planting all round.

If we had real *problem* neighbours, such as the OP's may turn out to be, I'd be wanting to retain as much screening between the gardens as poss

G_M

Where neighbours are concerned, communication is always the best way. Even if it is rejected, at least you've tried.

If speaking to them is too difficult, next best is a note through the door. Always polite/friendly even if they are not!

As suggested above, tell them you plans about overhanging trees rather than ask (though you could ask if they want the trimmings).

You could certainl ask about timing eg "I am planning to do this in (eg Feb), but if for any reason you'd prefer a month or two earlier/later, let me know"

Excited13

Thanks for all the comments I think I'll try and catch them tomorrow and explain. Considering she spends most of her life gardening (every time I'm off work she's in the garden) they may offer to do it themselves.

I agree with other comments about trees blocking us would be nice. The present ones don't block the patio area but if they did I'd probably have less of a problem. Maybe a hedge might be an idea although I'm not a gardener at all hence not knowing about trimming apple trees in winter.