Neighbours and tree

GaleSF63

Redwino222 said:

Tree surgeon booked for next week.  

He says if it is an ash tree it has to come down - or it could become dangerous.  I am really upset about it - it’s really beautiful. 

I am also annoyed my neighbour will think he snapped his fingers and I cut down the tree!

but hopefully I am wrong and it isnt an ash

I would find a tree surgeon who doesn't condemn it without having a good look at it. Better still someone who wouldn't have their eye on doing the work - or both. 

GDB2222

Our tree fell over in the hot weather.  Nobody hurt, but the climbing frame nearly came a cropper.

Slinky

Rosa_Damascena said:

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.

We had a quote of £350 to take out a cherry tree that was going to be too close to our new extension. That didn't include the stump grinding we would have wanted. Builder said don't bother with that, I'll sort it, and chopped it out and dragged the stump out. I think it's how the builder gets most of his heat in the winter - stuff he's chopped down, and pallets stuff arrives on.

Redwino222

Just to give an update.

tree surgeon called.  Advised tree  is healthy for now and advised against reducing but to monitor for signs of ash die back.  He thinks it may have to come down in a couple of years but to enjoy it now and not waste money reducing a tree that may need to be felled in a couple of years. 

Neighbour won’t be happy - but it is a beautiful tree and I will be sad if it has to go 

Apodemus

Good call!  Best of luck explaining that to the neighbours!

Redwino222

I know!  I know he will have clocked the tree surgeon so he will be calling at the door demanding action!  

I will keep my head down and if he calls tell him there is a longer term plan in place to remove the tree but it will be a couple of years.

in the meantime I suppose if he wants it reduced he can pay!  

Surgeon wouldn’t even give me price for that - said it would be a waste of money to appease a neighbour! 

Apodemus

You certainly seem to have found a good tree surgeon - make sure you note down their name, for future use!

With a bit of luck, the current weather will keep your neighbour indoors and he will forget about the horrors of their garden being shaded in the evening...till next summer!

Bendy_House

Redwino222 said:

I know!  I know he will have clocked the tree surgeon so he will be calling at the door demanding action!  

I will keep my head down and if he calls tell him there is a longer term plan in place to remove the tree but it will be a couple of years.

in the meantime I suppose if he wants it reduced he can pay!  

Surgeon wouldn’t even give me price for that - said it would be a waste of money to appease a neighbour! 

May I suggest you might wish to get sorted in your head right now, how you will respond to this neighb if/when they call? (And, since the tree has been pronounced 'fine', I wouldn't bother going to see that neighb first, as there should be no onus on you to pander to this expectant twit.)

When they do come knocking, I'd suggest that, anything remotely expectant/entitled such as "Well, what did he say?!", should - I think - be answered with a matter-of-fact, "Sorry - what business is this of yours?" And keep countering anything he says with regards to his situation, with "Hmm, nope, my tree is still absolutely none of your business."

Do NOT mention the TS's longer term thoughts. Just say the tree has been 'given a clean bill of health'.

If he goes on about the 'shadow', then - your call - if you wish, you can sigh, and say "Well, if you would like to pay to have it topped/crowned, I'd consider it, but it would have to be with my tree surgeon and to my agreed level."

Your call - and only if you think it might be useful to you to have it topped sooner. And you decide just how far it gets trimmed.

Rosa_Damascena

Bendy_House said:

Redwino222 said:

I know!  I know he will have clocked the tree surgeon so he will be calling at the door demanding action!  

I will keep my head down and if he calls tell him there is a longer term plan in place to remove the tree but it will be a couple of years.

in the meantime I suppose if he wants it reduced he can pay!  

Surgeon wouldn’t even give me price for that - said it would be a waste of money to appease a neighbour! 

May I suggest you might wish to get sorted in your head right now, how you will respond to this neighb if/when they call?

Or the OP could just tell his neighbour to whistle. The OP can't be forced to spend his money but he can enjoy watching his neighbour sweat over the small stuff,

GDB2222

Personally, I would let the neighbour know the decision. He's been left under the impression that Red Wine will get back to him, so I'd do that.