Neighbours and tree

Bendy_House

Good point, GDB. If the arbori confirms the tree is actually ok, and - if a rare healthy Ash - should not be cut down, but might benefit from a crowning, then that would be a good situation to relate to this neighbour.

'Now, if you really still want it topped a bit, then I'll consider it, but...' Ideal outcome?

twopenny

Could he not move his patio if it's so important to him?

Sounds very much like he's taking advantage of your new arrival. 2 doors away is ridiculous. I'd be looking at Google maps and rightmove sales to see how long both had been there.

Trees can provide shelter from weather during winter or summer.

Bendy_House

I don't see how long this neighbour has lived there as having any bearing?

twopenny

Because if he moved in when the tree was there already he could decide the lack of sunlight on his patio was acceptable or not.

Bendy_House

Fair do's, but I wouldn't let that direclty affect the outcome.

These decisions should be largely based on reason and evidence.

Then you can add a sprinkling of, "You're a good neighbour - ok, I'll trim a bit more off." Or the opposite.

IAMIAM

Oh my god. Here we go again. Why not just knock on and speak to him. Ask him if it usually maintained. Ask him did the previous owners cut the branches down so his garden could get sun. Etc etc.

Redwino222

Not sure why you are being so argumentative?  

I have already had a conversation with him.  I’m not sure why is really matters what the previous owner did?
 

Bendy_House

Redwino222 said:

Not sure why you are being so argumentative? 

It's cuz you are putting his patio in t'shade, innit.

Apodemus

Your ash tree is multi-stemmed, so chances are that it has already been cut back at some time.  Does it have one main trunk lower down?  The individual branches are not that thick, so perhaps it was last attended to ten or 15 years ago?  It could easily be cut back and allowed to regrow, possibly even giving you a better looking tree, with more foliage at a lower level.

Before ash dieback was around, "Sudden Ash drop"  was a known problem - big healthy-looking ash trees that suddenly keel over, with no warning.  They quite often have a rotten centre, particularly where they are multi-stemmed.

Up to you how you proceed with your neighbour, but I'd be taking that back down to about 5 metres height.

Rosa_Damascena

GDB2222 said:

If you do get a quote from the tree surgeon purely for your neighbour’s benefit, it would be worth asking him how much of the bill he would be prepared to pay. 

If he says none, as it is your tree, that would be an indication that cutting the tree is not too important to him. If he offers to pay the whole cost, then I would think that the tree is genuinely upsetting him.

This is very true.

My next door neighbour had 3 massive untended trees that would interfere with the foundations of my build last year. The cost of removing the trees (thousands, since you ask) were borne by me and I was happy to do so. Had they dug their heels in and said no I wouldn't have my lovely extension now, but in truth it wasn't purely an act of altruism as the tree roots were causing damage to their own property.

There has to be give and take in life.