Neighbour cut our tree down without permission.

Davesnave

I think I was confused, because there are two ways to cut a tree in half, but now I re-read, it's plain that you mean reduced it's height by 50%. In that case, everything I said was true, but inapplicable. The neighbour shouldn't have done what they did.

It's maybe better news for the tree, though. With a little judicious pruning, it will be easier getting it to regrow in a balanced way than if one side had been cut hard back.

I would want to know exactly why the neighbour did what they did. I expect it was about about gaining light. That's the main reason why people are willing to take a chance on breaking the law. The other one is where a tree prevents development.

Are you in a conservation area? Trees in those places are automatically protected, as are treees in AONBs and National Parks, and certain other locations,in which case your council's tree officer would be interested.

in_my_wellies

You could try to call his bluff. Tell him you will report him for criminal damage unless he agrees to make good the damage by removing the old tree and buying you a new tree of your choice. 

PS - A holly will grow back rapidly and larger in a couple of years

Justagardener

Proving criminal  activity is always difficult. I don't think this will be the last attack on your property. For £30 buy a cctv camera that sits on your windowsill it starts recording when it detects motion and they  work straight out of the box. 

WeAreGhosts

Yes, it is criminal damage. We had the exact same issue. This then spiralled into harassment and intimidation and further criminal damage. You can report it to the police and get a crime reference number. That will come in handy if you have further problems.

andygb

WeAreGhosts said:

Yes, it is criminal damage. We had the exact same issue. This then spiralled into harassment and intimidation and further criminal damage. You can report it to the police and get a crime reference number. That will come in handy if you have further problems.

I totally agree with you. I think if I don't report it, then they will just regard me as a soft touch. We have lived here for nearly thirty years, they moved in a couple of years ago.