Tree cutting - who should pay?

Susie-queue

(This is related to the thread I posted yesterday - "Squirrel problems")

If tree branches are hanging over your garden, am I right in thinking that you are allowed to chop back (if owner diesn't do it for you first) and that you must return pruned items to owner or agree terms of disposal?

If it requires the services of a tree surgeon, who pays - me or the neighbour?


Thanks, in advance, for any advice! :-)

Ebe_Scrooge

Legally you can cut back anything that overhangs your property, but you must offer to return the branches to your neighbour. If a professional is required then you need to pay.

In practice, assuming you are on good terms with your neighbour then a quick chat over the fence "would you mind if I trimmed the branches, and do you want the branches for anything or should I get rid of them" works a lot better than invoking the strict letter of the law And if a lot of work is needed then going 50/50 on the cost often works well. After all, your neighbour probably doesn't want to end up with a lop-sided tree, so it's best to get it trimmed all round.

As I say, this assumes you are on good terms with the neighbour, which I know is not always the case !

macman

As above, you must 'offer' them. They don't have to accept them back.

StuC75

A tree surgeon makes it sound like significant work is required, and would suggest that its not your place to make such a decision for work to be undertaken..

Most would view it as acceptable to trim back a few branches that have come across, but would cause a full on dispute were they to instruct someone else to carry out major work on a tree - after all what if they were to cause damage whilst working on someone property without owners permission or in a public area..

To be fair with squirrels even trimming back the trees wont help that much - there good at jumping and can climb up walls and drain pipes or adjoining properties (ive suffered this blight in the past at an old house..

victor2

As has been said. Inform your neighbour and offer the pruned bits. If a tree surgeon is required, it's at your cost.
We had the opposite issue. Tree is on our land and neighbour (who we do get along with) told me he was going to have his side pruned while having other trees done, and did we want the branches back. I told him our side needed doing anyway. I knew a tree surgeon and recommended them to him - we struck up a deal where both gardens were done in one visit and I got our tree done at less than it would have cost me alone. Everyone was happy.

StuC75

Just to add on the OP's other post the Tree is apparently on public \ Local authority \ council land, and not a Neighbour..

Its to discourage squirrels from climbing across, but wont really achieve anything, as the blighters will still get across as there 'scent' is about..