Ivy Growth

BigAunty

Had a note popped through my door from the neighbours demanding I arrange for the ivy to be cut back in my garden as it is overgrowing their walls and to ensure that it doesn't grow again over their wall and into their garden.

Checked the ivy in the corner that runs along the top of my wall and didn't find any roots in my garden - it seems to come in from elsewhere. Checked the outside alley just outside that corner and there are no roots there either.

Does it thrive just around trees and walls without having any roots in soil? I just can't figure out where it originates unless its a rootless plant since there aren't any roots in my garden. The ivy simply seems to run along the top of both of our rear walls in equal density.

I just want to understand why my neighbour's ivy growth is apparently my problem to sort.

Mojisola

BigAunty wrote: »

Had a note popped through my door from the neighbours demanding I arrange for the ivy to be cut back in my garden as it is overgrowing their walls and to ensure that it doesn't grow again over their wall and into their garden.

Checked the ivy in the corner that runs along the top of my wall and didn't find any roots in my garden - it seems to come in from elsewhere. Checked the outside alley just outside that corner and there are no roots there either.

Does it thrive just around trees and walls without having any roots in soil? I just can't figure out where it originates unless its a rootless plant since there aren't any roots in my garden. The ivy simply seems to run along the top of both of our rear walls in equal density.

I just want to understand why my neighbour's ivy growth is apparently my problem to sort.

It isn't. Your neighbour can cut back anything that grows over the boundary line if they want to.

As the ivy isn't growing from your garden, I'd reply saying so.

pinkteapot

Pop round and tell them it's not growing from your land.

As above, they can cut back anything that's growing over their boundary line. Imagine an invisible wall running upwards from the boundary - anyone can cut back anything within their boundaries (e.g. overhanging tree branches).

Technically, by law you're meant to give the cuttings back to the plant owner, but I've never known anyone actually do this and in this case it seems no-one knows who owns the ivy anyway.

Definitely not your problem. One for your passive-agressive-note-writing neighbour to sort out themselves.

onlyroz

Is the wall accessible from their garden? The side wall of our neighbour is inaccessible to them unless they come into our garden. There is a fence but it's right up against their wall, and there are plants growing in the 1-inch gap including ivy. The neighbours have asked permission to come in occasionally and cut back the ivy if it ever breaches the top of the fence because they don't like it growing up their wall. I've agreed, and I also try to keep on-top of it myself if I get the time.

BigAunty

Yes, the ivy is accessible to be trimmed on their side, running along their back wall and into the corner of their garden, mirroring the size, density and spread of this plant in my garden. Due to a high wall and tree that affects sightlines, i assume they cannot see that the ivy tumbles down into my garden rather than up and out of it.

They want the tree branches from my tree that overhangs their garden cut back and i will arrange this.

RAS

Do check there is no tree preservation order of the tre.

BigAunty

I can check, though would appreciate confirmation that i need to contact the council. However, there was no mention of such an order when i bought the property so i doubt this is the case.

princeofpounds

There often is no warning of a TPO. Whole areas can be TPOed if necessary, or there may be a standing TPO on any tree over a certain size.

BigAunty

Yay! My council operates an online search facility for tree preservation orders and within 30 seconds, I was able to confirm that none are in place. I'm pleased about that.

A tree surgeon is coming this afternoon for a quote to trim the overhanging tree so they can cast a fresh pair of eyes on where the ivy originates from and confirm boundary rules.

EDIT - this is what my council website says about tree responsibility.

"If the tree is on private land such as a garden or a neighbour's garden any works are the responsibility of the private owner. If a neighbour's tree has branches which overhang your property then you are within your right to cut these back to the line of the property boundary but technically the branches remain the property of the neighbour, to whom the cut material should first be offered prior to responsible disposal. ... If a neighbour is unwilling to comply with works to a tree on his land that may be affecting or deemed to affect your property then independent and private legal advice may be required and you should consult your solicitor."

kevelesopnic

Do either of you want to keep the ivy? If not then give it a good spray with a decent weedkiller, RoundUp works well.

BigAunty

I'm happy with the ivy - it just fringes part of the top of the wall at the rear of the garden about a quarter of its length. Last year I stripped away masses of ivy that was against my backwall, hiding most of it, and it was a simple and quick job.

I had a quick glance out at ivy growth along our back gardens in the street. Neighbours on both sides of my property have tufts of ivy along their backwalls. The neighbour who has requested that I arrange to remove 'my' ivy also has another neighbour on their side with masses of ivy along their back wall (though it doesn't come into their garden space whereas our mass of ivy seems to be shared, spanning both corners where our dividing wall meets our back walls). So we have an area where ivy generally thrives.