Massive Sycamore tree, whos responsibility?

SallyG

Similar problem - next door's sycamores overgrowing our garden everything under them is gloom and gluey and black mould - plants garden equipment etc - anything left there for more than a couple of hours is yucky - in a conservation area so it's like having a TPO on every tree - will a local authority tree officer rate shading and gloop as reason to reduce back to boundary?

pandora205

OP I had a similar problem with a huge leylandii tree that was about twice as high as my house and just over 10 metres away. My neighbour to the left also had a problem with two other leylandiis in the same garden (the house behind). We both tracked down the letting agent and complained. I took photos showing the height of the tree, shadow across my south facing garden, grass that had died, the fence that had been pushed out of its posts, etc. and sent them. My next door neighbour sent weekly emails to the agent, who contacted the landlord. Nothing happened for about three months despite replies saying 'the landlord is going to deal with it'. I sent more photos showing further growth and impact on the garden and danger to the property and threatening legal action. I had contacted our local council who said that they offered a mediation service for £450, which would have been the next step. I would also have gone to the local press. Eventually, it was agreed to remove the trees and hooray, it has now happened. I can't believe how much more light I have in the house and how much bigger the garden looks, although nothing will grow where the dead patches of grass were yet.

molerat

My brother had a similar leylandi problem, constantly asking the neighbours to cut them back. Luckily the house was repossessed and the owners evicted. One weekend, a couple of mates, some chainsaws, a pickup truck, no leylandi

TheGardener

How does the tenant of the property feel about the tree? Have you spoken to them - they must be having the same issues?
Is it part of any formal landscaping by the HA? Is it holding up a steep bank or anything like that?
If you check that the tree hasn't got a TPO and the tenant doesn't want it either - then collude with the tenant and get a surgeon to take it down. The only reason the HA don't want to deal with it is cost. I don't believe the tenant needs any 'permission' from the HA to remove it - but make sure the surgeon is a professional and well insured - not a local chainsaw jock.