Neighbours tree overhanging my garden by six feet, but too high for me to reach. Should she pay for pruning?

Question

A good point,mise. I will of course put it to my neighbour but I was trying to get people's opinion first.t

A good point,mise. I will of course put it to my neighbour but I was trying to get people's opinion first.t

Answer 1

Did you ask?
Sometimes the problem is in not asking rather than them not doing

Answer 2

I have the EXACT same problem, only worse--several trees. I'm afraid it's going to be your responsibility; whatever hangs over your property line.
I'll tell you what works well-- you need an extension-handle pruner (Corona makes a good one) it has a pruner at the top on a pulley and you just pull a rope to trim the branch. It also has a saw on the top for bigger branches. If it's STILL too high, there is an ingenious little limb cutter that is a rope with a weighted bag on one end and a saw-tooth area in the middle. You throw the bag up in the air over the branch, grab that end then saw back and forth. (actually up and down). I think it's called a high limb pruner, but you can google it or email me because I'm about to order another one myself. These things work great if you can learn not to let the sandbag hit you in the head when you throw it over the limb! A couple times I had to get a guy with a stronger throwing arm to toss it for me.

As a side note, a huge tree in my neighbor's yard FELL into my yard and took out the corner of my house. He just stood there and looked at for a minute, knowing that he was free and clear. I had to have a crane lift it off the house, and then I sawed the ENTIRE tree up myself. I'm a chick and he didn't even offer to help.

Answer 3

If your Neighbour does not want to pay for pruning she does not have to, unless there are 2 or more conifer trees in a group then you can use high hedge legislation to get them pruned. There is a common law that allows you to prune back to your boundary but you will have to pay. You will also have to offer back anything that you have taken off the tree, to your neighbour.

Answer 4

Of course, as people have said, it's a good idea to speak to your neighbor first, letting her know that it's becoming a problem. She might volunteer.

I'm guessing from your spelling of "neighbours" that you're not in the US. Here it's legal to prune it ourselves; you could just hire an arborist to do it. It shouldn't be too expensive; however, she is not responsible for the payment.

Answer 5

Why do you want to prune it in the first place? If it looks bad or you just don't want it overhanging into your garden, its down to you to arrange to sort it out. Though I expect your neighbour has no idea how you feel, try talking to them, they may even cough up the cost if your lucky..

Answer 6

Yeah - having a quick chat and seeing what sort of response you get's a good idea. But also, is it getting in the way? Is it a nice addition to your garden? Or is it a pain in the **** - get your head around that before speaking to your neighbour.

Answer 7

No.
In law it's your problem. You may cut it back to the property line without permission, but you must offer the cuttings to the owner of the tree.
If it is too big for you to reach, then I'm afraid it's your problem.

Answer 8

Yes it is her responsibility to prune it, why not ask if she is willing to pay half towards it. If you do cut it yourself, you should, by rights give the clippings back to her as it is her property.

Answer 9

it is her responsibility, but whether they will pay for it is two different things . my neighbours tree is too high and restricts light but she does not / or refuses to do anything about it

Answer 10

I would speak to your neighbour if it is possible and sort something out first hope you get on ok..

Answer 11

if it is six feet over your side then yes the neighbour should pay