Neighbour's tree

[Hammer]

My parents' next door neighbour has a tall fir tree (about twice the height of the house) in their back garden, which has branched growing over my parents' garden and around a street light just outside both of their gardens, making it pitch black at night. The current tenants are not interested, and the letting agent have done little about it either, although a few years ago they got some branches hacked off around the light, which solved the problem of the light, but left a tree that was not only too tall, but ugly and misshapen too! My dad wants to get up the tree himself and hack some more branches off to improve the lighting again, but can we insist that the landlord / agent gets it done? The tree is only about 20 feet from both properties, is there any legal guidance as to how big / close they can be?

[tomd]

Neighbours complained about one of our trees, it was professionally done but they paid for it (ha ha). I wasn't listening at the time, but I think the stance on this had something to do with the tree being there longer than their house. I expect your dad could do it himself if the neighbour agreed, we didn't let ours as he's a buffoon and would have brought it down on the greenhouse.

[Wraith]

Try speaking to your local council. They will be able to advise you on your rights.

[Lindy Loo]

Sounds like a dreaded Leylandii!!! They grow 'for England'. As it's blocking light from a street lamp, have a word with the local council, (overhanging tree's). They will write to the occupier and ask for it to be cut back. If the occupier doesn't comply (think it's 2-3weeks) phone the council again. They may get the job done and then pass on the bill to occupier. You do have the right to cut branches overhanging your garden off, but you must return then to the owner of the tree!! Have a look at www.gardenlaw.co.uk. It gives more detail than space allows here, and scrolling down the page there a lots of useful links/info Good luck

[Drewhound]

As lindy loo suggests complain to the council about the light. You can remove anything overhanging your boundary but you have no right to trespass to do it or cut more off without the owners consent Other than that there is nothing you can do