Branch of neighbour's tree has fallen onto my Garden shed

TELLIT01

Storm damage generally comes down to the 'damaged' part to sort out unless negligence can be proven. For example if the tree was known to be rotten and the owner did nothing.

Grumpy_chap

punchdrunked said:

The tree branch is approximately 20 metres in length and is divided into three parts. 3 of the branches are resting on my shed - the roof is broken. As it is, it'll be dangerous, so I need to sort it out one way or the other.

Given the issues I've had with my insurance company regarding a leak under suspended flooring, I am loathed to approach them again for fear of another argument around what is damage, not damage, nonsense, so I'm hoping that me and the neighbour can work something out. If not, I'll have to fire up my chainsaw and brave it, or get an arborist out to advise me.

OK, so the shed roof is broken.  How old is the shed and how large is it?
A regular shed from a DIY chain is often not a great deal more cost than the £400 excess you mentioned.  It really may not be worth involving the insurance.  Unless your shed is something more special (summer house?) and brand new, it might be just easier and better to suffer the cost of the new shed - you are also then getting betterment as the new shed will be, well, new, unlike the old shed.

If the branch has fallen from the tree, why are you considering an arborist?
That is just a cost that serves no value.

Unless I am missing some detail in the thread, this seems to be looking for a problem where there is none to find, rather mountain-molehill style.

TELLIT01

I would say there is definitely a problem, in the shape of a 20 metre long branch.  Unless it's a long thin branch, chopping lumps off it could affect the balance and it could go anywhere and do damage to people (the one wielding the chain saw).

huckster

20 meter long tree branch. I would be calling the Guiness Book of Records, as that might be the longest tree branch ever found.

I think the OP meant 20 feet long.

A storm in NE London last night ? I don't believe the winds were storm force as that is winds of 55mph or more. 

Sounds like your neighbours tree has rotted away with disease.

I would speak to neighbour about their trees and your shed.

I don't think this is a situation to claim on Insurance, even if claimable. Excess plus increase in premiums over several years could be very expensive.

punchdrunked

TELLIT01 said:

I would say there is definitely a problem, in the shape of a 20 metre long branch.  Unless it's a long thin branch, chopping lumps off it could affect the balance and it could go anywhere and do damage to people (the one wielding the chain saw).

I hadn't thought of this, especially the energy stored in that branch and the damage that it can inflict once disturbed. And no, they're not long thin branches, plus the larger thicker branch is suspended in the air (I'm not sure what it is pivoting on). The squirrels have already found a way to make use of the "new" contraption.

The joys of owning a home. We've lived here for 10 years and never had a problem - in the last few months a water leak in the central heating piping routed under suspended flooring, a Thames water leak on our driveway (600 litres a day) and now this. The song "cry me a river" would be apt.

I'll have a word with the neighbour, but I think he ought to get that tree looked at. 

luci

I've just had an email from my insurance provider about preparing for storms. They say the following is normally covered, but you would need to check your policy wording.

Damage caused by storm.

Damage caused by falling trees or branches.

Damage caused by falling TV aerials, radio aerials, or satellite dishes.

punchdrunked

Thanks Luci, I've decided that I'm going to approach my insurers as it is a lot more serious than I originally thought.

The tree has actually fallen down, part of which is resting on my garden shed (roof damaged as a result) but the other part of the tree is resting on a tree, a preserved tree, that's on my side of the boundary. So the whole tree can fall at any time. It needs urgent attention.

I've tried my neighbour, he's in, but hasn't responded. I'll post a letter through his door and see what happens.