Leylandii problem - opinions please!

atprice

I bought a house about 4 months ago and I was lucky enough to move next door to an ex-colleague of mine who I am on quite good terms with and have the odd glass of wine with. The house has a beautiful garden but my next door neighbour has 4 leylandii at about 40 feet tall between her house and the house next door. Although they don't border my property they do cause a loss of light in the morning. It's not the worst problem I could have and she has mentioned having them topped off, but that was a while ago and she's not spoken about it since.

I'm having some work done in my garden and I've asked the gardener for a quote to top off her trees. Is it rude for me to pass this information on to her? Would anyone be put out if their neighbour/friend did this? I don't want to overstep the boundaries and put her nose out of joint.

I know I sound like a wuss, but I had problems with an ex-neighbour which quickly escalated so I want to make sure I'm not going to start anything.

I_have_spoken

Any opportunity to remove/reduce these giant weeds should be taken.

As the neighbour has previously mentioned it, I'd certainly try something along the lines of 'I'm having garden work done and that reminded me you'd previously spoken about the trees. While the man is here, shall I ask him to pop-around and give you a no-obligation quote?"

browneyedbazzi

If you're on good terms with the neighbour I can't see it being a problem to say 'I've had a chap around doing some work in my garden and mentioned to him that you were thinking about having your trees topped, he said he'd be able to do it for £x'

Depending on what the cost is (and how much you want it done) you might want to consider offering to share some of the cost.

atprice

Cheers guys that makes me feel better about it :-)

Sunny_Saver

I would mention it. My next neighbour had some, he mentioned chopping them but did nothing. I then had someone work on my garden and asked if he wanted a quote. He said for chap to go around next day. Bloody chap chopped his leylandii without asking, luckily neighbour saw funny side:eek:. He was happy it got done for so cheap.

Davesnave

It's a bit late to be chopping anything now. The nesting season is well under way.

peter_the_piper

40ft? you can't really top them easily, 5ft could be done without affecting the shape of the trees dramatically. 10ft would leave the tree with a concave top with lots of brown wood, leyland do not regrow out of brown wood. Any more than 10ft and it would probably be better to remove completely.

SailorSam

A bit late now but i would have been put off buying a house that had conifers that tall.