Neighbour asked us to trim the hedge

mi-key

I share a hedge with a neighbour in my back garden. Technically it is theirs as it's planted on their side, but we both maintain our own sides. I wouldn't think of expecting him to come and do my side. But... If I planted a hedge and the neighbour asked me to trim it I would have no problem doing this. 

Getting on with your neighbours is SO important as there are often things you need to sort out between you, ask them for favours etc... even little things like taking in a parcel for you or jump starting the car or borrowing something you need. It really can be the difference between loving and enjoying your house, and wanting to move somewhere else. 

ThisIsWeird

There you go, Tristan - the full flurry of opinions and options :-)

You've had your 'legal' answer - there is no obligation for you to do this - and you've had a range of scenarios on how to 'morally' respond, often depending on just how straight-forward a task this would be to do, coupled with the neighbour's attitude - whether they acknowledge it's a nice favour and are appreciative.

But do consider - if you say 'ok' now, it'll be harder to back-track later on. Unless they fully understand it's a one-of.

 

twopenny

I've re-read the question and changed my view. Though it's hard to tell without a photo.

You didn't plant it. It's a very established hedge so wonder what happened before.
A .friendly discussion needs to happen on that point and see how reasonable (or not) the neighbour is. Perhaps the previous owner used to cut it and he's expecting the same from you.
Does he have a disability or aversion to plants so it annoys him. Find out what you're dealing with in 'the nicest possible way' and take it from there. This is a new start from both.

You may find an answer that suits both. Otherwise stand your ground. Normally you'd each trim your own bit to suit. Or maybe he's one that wouldn't be satisfied even if you took the hedge out ie lack of privacy. 
In which case he'll never be one to take your parcels in   

I went through a year of people telling me sideways what I should do when I moved into my place. I went softly at first up to a point then established that this is what I was going to do.
Now we all get on exceedingly well ...... I just have one unforgivable and I'm biding my time for karma   

tristanjourney

Wow, I didn't expect to see so many different responses. I'd prefer to not share the picture here because it might be identifiable.

A small update. Our gardener came today and checked the hedge. He told us that if we trim it back to the boundary, then the hedge will show the brown bits inside. We don't know how much of cut is too much so we said we would like to follow his advice for hedge's optimal growth and health. Then we knocked our neighbour door to ask them move the car as they parked the car so close to the hedge. Our gardener asked them how much do they wanted it to cut back. The neighbour said just slightly trim the hedge so it will be still green and pretty. Then my gardener did the work. Now the hedge still overhangs on their side a bit, but less than before. A few minutes later, the neighbour parked the car even closer to the hedge.

When the gardener finished up other works and we were chatting about his next visit, he said folks like our neighbour are impossible to please. I totally agreed with him.

Moving forward, my plan is to trim the hedge twice a year, which is what my gardener has advised. If the neighbour knock our door again a few weeks later because of the hedge, we will just kindly tell them that we will only trim it twice a year. If they want it to be trimmed sooner, then they can do it themselves on their side. We are happy to let them use the green bin to dispose the trimmed bits.

Given how different the responses so far, I suppose some people may agree with my plan and others may disagree. But I think at least "legally" I am not doing the wrong thing.

Thanks all!

cymruchris

tristanjourney said:

Wow, I didn't expect to see so many different responses. I'd prefer to not share the picture here because it might be identifiable.

A small update. Our gardener came today and checked the hedge. He told us that if we trim it back to the boundary, then the hedge will show the brown bits inside. We don't know how much of cut is too much so we said we would like to follow his advice for hedge's optimal growth and health. Then we knocked our neighbour door to ask them move the car as they parked the car so close to the hedge. Our gardener asked them how much do they wanted it to cut back. The neighbour said just slightly trim the hedge so it will be still green and pretty. Then my gardener did the work. Now the hedge still overhangs on their side a bit, but less than before. A few minutes later, the neighbour parked the car even closer to the hedge.

When the gardener finished up other works and we were chatting about his next visit, he said folks like our neighbour are impossible to please. I totally agreed with him.

Moving forward, my plan is to trim the hedge twice a year, which is what my gardener has advised. If the neighbour knock our door again a few weeks later because of the hedge, we will just kindly tell them that we will only trim it twice a year. If they want it to be trimmed sooner, then they can do it themselves on their side. We are happy to let them use the green bin to dispose the trimmed bits.

Given how different the responses so far, I suppose some people may agree with my plan and others may disagree. But I think at least "legally" I am not doing the wrong thing.

Thanks all!

To be fair there's probably no right or wrong answer - but it sounds like what you've said is a decent compromise - doing it a couple of times a year, and then if they want to do a bit extra they can, sounds good to me. It's not bowing at every beck and call every 5 minutes, but also isn't 'tough do it yourself'. Hopefully will lead to fairly decent neighbourly relations ongoing (Even if they are the kind of people you can't please all of the time)

sevenhills

tristanjourney said:

Moving forward, my plan is to trim the hedge twice a year, which is what my gardener has advised. If the neighbour knock our door again a few weeks later because of the hedge, we will just kindly tell them that we will only trim it twice a year. If they want it to be trimmed sooner, then they can do it themselves on their side. We are happy to let them use the green bin to dispose the trimmed bits.

Your neighbour could trim it right back, to the point where it may not grow well, if they wish, it could turn brown.

A conifer hedge, I presume.

tristanjourney

sevenhills said:

tristanjourney said:

Moving forward, my plan is to trim the hedge twice a year, which is what my gardener has advised. If the neighbour knock our door again a few weeks later because of the hedge, we will just kindly tell them that we will only trim it twice a year. If they want it to be trimmed sooner, then they can do it themselves on their side. We are happy to let them use the green bin to dispose the trimmed bits.

Your neighbour could trim it right back, to the point where it may not grow well, if they wish, it could turn brown.

A conifer hedge, I presume.

Before start the work, my gardener asked my neighbour and mentioned that cut back to the boundary will show the brown bits. My neighbour's response is that they want it to be green, so it's fine to not trim that much, and no need to be back to the boundary. My neighbour seems care more about the appearance/looking of the hedge on their side rather than "oh their hedge crossed the boundary".

Of course, I wouldn't know what they will do if I kindly remind them to do it themselves on their side if they want to trim it more frequently.

Yes, it is a conifer hedge.

ThisIsWeird

tristanjourney said:

Before start the work, my gardener asked my neighbour and mentioned that cut back to the boundary will show the brown bits. My neighbour's response is that they want it to be green, so it's fine to not trim that much, and no need to be back to the boundary. My neighbour seems care more about the appearance/looking of the hedge on their side rather than "oh their hedge crossed the boundary".

Of course, I wouldn't know what they will do if I kindly remind them to do it themselves on their side if they want to trim it more frequently.

Yes, it is a conifer hedge.

I think your decision, based on your circumstances, was a good call, and kudos to you for being so reasonable.

As you say, see how it pans out. You will no doubt soon find out the calibre of your neighbour(s), and will tweak your interactions towards them accordingly, whilst always being polite and reasonable yourself - which is how you come across on here.

You don't DIY your hedge trimming, so that makes it easier as they can't ask you, "Just grab yer trimmer and give it a quickie - there's a good chap!"

Your neighb will have their 'trim' from you as and when you do, and woe betide them should they ask again outwith 'Tristan Trimmin' Time'.  If they have the gall to ask, they can be informed that they are welcome to call any gardener for this task at any time, and if they 'suggest' it is your responsibility, it would be the ideal opportunity to make clear, "Oh, I'm only doing this for you as a favour - didn't you know?! I'm sure you understand there is no onus on me to do this, don't you? No? Oh dear. Now, would you like me to continue offering to do this for you at my expense, as and when I have my side done, or would you rather take over this job yourself?"

baser999

Seems your neighbour wants it every way - cutting back to allow easier access/parking the car, but not too much off to leave it looking brown.
Wonder how their hairdressers cope? 😄

subjecttocontract

Yes it's a bit like they want to continue to shout FROG whilst telling you how high to jump !