Households told to do one thing before cutting tree down in your own garden
If your neighbour's massive tree is obscuring your view, it's best not to pick up the saw just yet – there's one important thing garden -owners in England should do first.
While trees are generally inoffensive, there are some reasons why you may want to remove them. Trees and their roots can cause issues including structural damage to buildings from roots, block sunlight and even cause potential damage to underground pipes or drains. They can also attract certain kinds of pests in some cases.
Similarly, a neighbour 's tree might have branches hanging over into your garden, or you may feel that they have a hedge that has grown too high.
However, removing a tree or hedge may not be your decision to make. Plus, chopping it down without consulting anybody may result in unnecessary friction.
According to Citizen's Advice, if you and your neighbour are in disagreement over a problem related to a tree or hedge, it's best to try to resolve things informally. This way you can attempt to work towards a mutually beneficial solution.
You can speak to your neighbour about the issue face-to-face. However, if you're not comfortable doing that, then you can write them a letter or email instead.
Although, in this case it's important to keep a copy of any email or letter you receive from them. This way you have a reference for any agreement you may come to.
If you happen to rent your home, it could also be a good idea to talk to your landlord about the issues, as they might be able to deal with the disagreement on your behalf.
If you and your neighbour still can't come to an agreement, then you can ask for a mediator. A mediator is a neutral third party who can help you come to a compromise.
Crucially, before you cut a tree, you need to also check if it's protected by a Tree Preservation Order. If so, you'll have to ask the council for permission to cut the tree even if it's yours.
If you're not sure whether you or your neighbour owns a tree or hedge, there are some easy ways to tell. If the trunk or main stem of a tree or hedge is on your land, then you own it.
However, if it's on the boundary between properties, you'll need to refer to the legal documents you got when you bought your home, as they will show where the boundary is. In some cases, the may even say who's responsible for the tree or hedge.
If you don't have access to the documents, you can buy them from the Land Registry. It might be a good idea to buy the documents for your neighbour's house too, as they may contain more information.
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