Cutting my own flowers over my neighbours' boundary

shortcrust

Thought you people would know as it's a boundary thing.

I have flowers growing up a trellis type fence on the boundary with my neighbours. Can I lean over/reach through and cut flowers that are poking through on my neighbours' side? Do the flowers on their side still belong to me?

Just curious really. My neighbours are lovely and really don't mind what I do.

trinidadone

Just to keep that neighbourly love, can you just have a quick chat with them first, and let them know what you want to do?

Slinky

If your neighbours were to cut back plants planted on your side but hanging over the boundary, they are supposed to offer you the cuttings back first. So going by that, there shouldn't be an issue with you cutting flowers hanging on their side.

00ec25

legally your position to no different to the more common question associated with hedge cutting where the hedge is on your side of the boundary

if the neighbour cuts the hedge (flowers) then legally they must ask you as the hedge owner if you want the cuttings back

flowers therefore are your property and if cut should be returned to you

obviously however never resort to "legalities" when it comes to neighbourly issues unless you are already at loggerheads and (GM's infamous) tea and cake discussion stage has already been tried but failed.

trailingspouse

The flowers are yours - in fact, there would be more of an issue if they wanted to cut them. Cut away - you could always pop round with a bunch if you wanted to.

shortcrust

Thanks for the replies. As I said, I'm more curious than anything. They're on holiday at the moment so wouldn't care one way or another. It's just as I was leaning over to cut them yesterday I suddenly felt that I was being a bit naughty (in a one step up from running through wheat fields kind of way).:)

G_M

They'll look nice in an old teapot on the table when you invite the neighbours round for tea.

(and, of course.....)

Guest101

Just a separate question - who owns the fence?

Slinky

G_M wrote: »

They'll look nice in an old teapot on the table when you invite the neighbours round for tea.

(and, of course.....)

I wish I lived next to you G_M, I'd be winding you up often in order to ensure a good supply of tea and cake coming my way

sevenhills

Slinky wrote: »

If your neighbours were to cut back plants planted on your side but hanging over the boundary, they are supposed to offer you the cuttings back first. So going by that, there shouldn't be an issue with you cutting flowers hanging on their side.

That part of it sounds like tradition or just something that happens, surely who ever owns the space that they are growing in, its theirs

00ec25

sevenhills wrote: »

That part of it sounds like tradition or just something that happens, surely who ever owns the space that they are growing in, its theirs

it is not tradition, it is the law

https://www.gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes/high-hedges-trees-and-boundaries

http://www.husqvarna.com/uk/lawn-garden/when-working/usage/hedge-trimming-legislation/

https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/gardening-for-wildlife/plants-for-wildlife/garden-hedges/hedge-law