Opinions on trees

The neighbours have asked me to prune/cut down a large tree at the end of my garden. Doing so will involve a lot of work in clearing around it and will no doubt cost a lot to do. Honest opinions welcomed.

 

Depends on whether you like the tree and how friendly you want to be with the neighbours, etc.

Are they mainly concerned with the branches which overhang their garden? If so then they are within their rights to cut down any branches which overhang.

If it bothers them that much then maybe they would be willing to share the expense?

 

Or, help with the job?

 

I`ve cutted down 2 massive conifer in my garden , it was yes hard , but I just borrowed an electric chainsaw from a friend and called a local rubbish collector that charged me £50 , that is if you can do it yourself.

Call a local gardner and ask for a free quote , it`s alway advanceable keep the neighbours happy , if they do deserve.

 

Can we see some photos of the tree of the tree?

Also, do you know what the neighbour is worried about? Is your tree blocking their light? Might it fall on their heads? Are deranged squirrels hiding in it and throwing nuts at them when they come out?

I think the action you take (if any) must depend on the problem you are trying to solve.

 

A couple of points:

What sort of tree is it? - If you hard prune most conifers they will not re-grow. If its a fruit tree, pruning will effect its productivity.

Are you in a conservation area or similar? if so you may require planning permission to hard prune or cut the tree down.

a-a

 

I was brought up it was unlucky to bring Lilac into the house. Of course that is complete tosh ... but I don't want to temp fate

 

It's a big sycamore and it's the light they are concerned about. I'm a bit miffed as while my kids have been young they have sometimes had to sleep in downstairs room due to parties at the neighbours so don't feel they have shown us much consideration, but as they say two wrongs ...

 

Next door to me, and overhanging my garden, is a massive sycamore. It casts a lot of shade and does limit what I can do in my garden, so I can see your neighbour's point of view. However I've learned to live with my neighbour's one. I've trimmed off some of the branches that overhang my side and improved the soil along the border, and most stuff grows there just fine now.

I made enquiries a while ago about getting a tree surgeon in. I reckon it would have cost about £400-500 for a 'crown reduction'. If it had come down to that, I would have offered to pay half the bill.

 

Thanks for the info. Think they will offer to pay some or possibly all of it, but if the crown was reduced I guess it will grow back so it will need doing again in a couple of years. It's too big to do ourselves and one of the neighbours has an expensive greenhouse not too far away so it will have to be people with proper insurance.

 

If you are happy with it being pruned/removed and they are happy to pay, then go for it. If you are at all unhappy and all that they want to do it moan and not cough up then I would be inclined to keep it. I used to love playing with Sycamore seeds as a kid but they self seed madly!

 

You'd need to ask a tree surgeon, when they come to quote, but I would expect a crown reduction to take 10 years to grow back to where it is now (assuming the tree is of a "significant" size). Quite a lot of trees slow down their growth rate as they get older, which will also help reduce the frequency that it needs doing, over time.

 

That sounds good. The tree is currently about 1.5 times the height of the house so it is big, but we all have long gardens so it's a long way from any house.