Chopped tree down, neighbour saying we damaged property

2bFrank

This weekend we chopped down a tree in my mates back garden, and his neighbour has gone mental at us saying he’s wreaking her house because now she will have foundation issues. The tree wasn’t that big to be fair, about 6 footish, and it was in a bad way. She threatened to sue my mate for any damage to her property. to be fair it is in a very bad condition anyways.

Unfortunately we both lost our cool and took it out on her husband, so talking this over won’t be an option any more (cannot say any more incase police get involved). Any ideas on how to approach this, have we actually done anything wrong. The tree was on my mates land.

Grenage

A 6-foot tree is really more of a bush, and not going to have any real impact on any foundations.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Mojisola

2bFrank wrote: »

She threatened to sue my mate for any damage to her property.

Any ideas on how to approach this

Totally ignore any other complaints from her.

She would have to prove that any damage to her property was caused by removing the tree which would involve paying large amounts of money to get reports.

If the tree was only 6' high, it could hardly be called a tree and it couldn't cause any damage at all.

2bFrank

Brill thanks for your replies, thats what we thought. I dont think he will be hearing any more from the neighbours but incase we do just wanted a second viewpoint.

kathrynha

Agree with the others that it is more of a bush/shrub than a tree at that size. How close to her house was it? Unless it was really close it won't effect her house, but if you want to be sure and know the type of tree it was, then google will tell you how big the root is likely to be.

antrobus

2bFrank wrote: »

This weekend we chopped down a tree in my mates back garden, and his neighbour has gone mental at us saying he’s wreaking her house because now she will have foundation issues. The tree wasn’t that big to be fair, about 6 footish, and it was in a bad way. She threatened to sue my mate for any damage to her property. to be fair it is in a very bad condition anyways. ...

The neighbour has yet to suffer any damage, and would have to show that the felling of the tree was indeed the cause of any damage. It's more usual for trees to damage property when they are not cut down. Cutting down a 6ft tree in a "very bad condition" has probably reduced the potential for damage.

2bFrank wrote: »

...Unfortunately we both lost our cool and took it out on her husband, so talking this over won’t be an option any more (cannot say any more in case police get involved).

Unless there is a Tree Preservation Order in place, the police won't be interested. It's a civil matter.

2bFrank wrote: »

... Any ideas on how to approach this, have we actually done anything wrong. The tree was on my mates land.

Do nothing. Say nothing.

IAmWales

2bFrank wrote: »

This weekend we chopped down a tree in my mates back garden, and his neighbour has gone mental at us saying he’s wreaking her house because now she will have foundation issues. The tree wasn’t that big to be fair, about 6 footish, and it was in a bad way. She threatened to sue my mate for any damage to her property. to be fair it is in a very bad condition anyways.

Unfortunately we both lost our cool and took it out on her husband, so talking this over won’t be an option any more (cannot say any more incase police get involved). Any ideas on how to approach this, have we actually done anything wrong. The tree was on my mates land.

In what way did you take it out on her husband?

prosaver

if its an Ash tree ..your not allowed..sorry..

Davesnave

2bFrank wrote: »

Unfortunately we both lost our cool and took it out on her husband, so talking this over won’t be an option any more (cannot say any more incase police get involved). Any ideas on how to approach this, have we actually done anything wrong.

If the police might get involved, this sounds more serious than molesting a shrub in one's own back garden.

And if they might not, then perhaps you are being somewhat over-dramatic. After all, the police would hardly look here for clues! :rotfl:

vw100

When a tree is chopped down, the roots in the ground start to shrink and die, causing soil movement. However for a 6ft tree it hardly going to have huge root structure. your neighbour is barking up the wrong tree

Davesnave

prosaver wrote: »

if its an Ash tree ..your not allowed..sorry..

Not allowed to do what, exactly?

I've just cut down a dozen or so ash trees, and what's more, I dare to admit it on MSE, despite the apparent risk of the tree police seeing my post.

Will that mean I'm up before the beak next week?