Neighbour trees blocking sunlight, anything that can be done?
Posted by Virtual_Brilliant880@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 55 comments
[removed]
Posted by Virtual_Brilliant880@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 55 comments
[removed]
NoodleDoodlesocks@reddit
They're not being inconsiderate.
If you have spoke to them about cutting them and they've said no, you could try complaining to the council under part 8 of the anti-social behaviour act for high hedges but it likely won't do anything but cause unnecesary tensions between you and your neighbour.
Virtual_Brilliant880@reddit (OP)
I thought as much thanks for the input, I think I was just annoyed at losing the sun come 6pm today šš
ac0rn5@reddit
High hedges legislation only applies for evergreen trees/hedges.
Virtual_Brilliant880@reddit (OP)
Me personally, nothing. The in laws whose house it is, no idea, possibly something but nothing that Iāve been told
northerncodemky@reddit
One of my favourite things on evenings like this is the dappled sunlight I get through the trees in my garden. It gets pretty direct sun all day then the show really starts once it starts coming through the trees.
ceehred@reddit
Yeah, I have a row of insanely tall old trees 4 houses away that the sun sets behind around 5-7pm. Helps the rear of the house cool in the summer months, wonderful to see the sun filtered through the leaves on an evening, and the sound of the breeze swishing through them is always joyous.
Local_Beautiful3303@reddit
My bedroom is at the front of my flat and there is a cherry tree just outside. I am absolutely a winter person but I love walking up and seeing the sun light playing through the leaves on the curtain when I wake up
northerncodemky@reddit
I love winter as Iām a skier, but Iāll take green full trees over bare sticks (and seeing the houses over the way) all the way! I can actually feel the green relaxing me head to toe!
Local_Beautiful3303@reddit
I was born in the UK but grew up in year round hot countries so coming back to the UK and having seasons is amazing.
Ive lived in places like Hong Kong Singapore, KL, and Ho Chi Min where there are no trees lining streets or back gardens and its miserable
grunt56@reddit
Having trees in your garden isn't being inconsiderate FFS. Are people just going out of their way to be contrairian whingebags these days?
Virtual_Brilliant880@reddit (OP)
Iām not against trees, but these are pushing 20ft - Iād even go as far as theyāve let them go out of spite. Anyways have a good evening.
kettlejuices@reddit
What have you done for them to spite you?
SnooCakes1636@reddit
Welcome to the internet!
Current_Thing2244@reddit
You can legally trim the branches that are on your side of the boundary, that might help let some light through. Just let them know that you're doing it in case it causes drama.
B-cupx@reddit
Only if it doesnt cause harm to the tree
Current_Thing2244@reddit
It's pretty difficult to harm a tree just by trimming the branches unless you're just pulling the limbs off. I was a tree surgeon for years.
B-cupx@reddit
Ive seen enough branches cut flush with the stem of a tree to know it happens
Current_Thing2244@reddit
Completely irrelevant here.
B-cupx@reddit
How is it? If someone just carelessly lops limbs off, there is potential to cause damage to the tree, which could get them in trouble.
Anecdotally ive seen plenty of pruning cuts done that can cause issue to the health of the tree, such as cutting flush to the stem.
But you used to be a tree surgeon so you know best
Current_Thing2244@reddit
That looks like a tree with a trunk, not stems.
OP wouldn't be cutting near the trunk.
Anecdotally also doesn't apply here, learn meanings AND how to use words before you use them.
Yes. I obviously do.
B-cupx@reddit
What is the the stem of a tree if not its trunk?
Yours truly, A qualified arborist (not tree surgeon) who works with trees daily
Current_Thing2244@reddit
Course you are š
B-cupx@reddit
Youre free to believe me or not, the fact you classed yourself as a tree surgeon and not an arborist speaks volumes though
Mr_Bumcrest@reddit
You and the poster here should get together
Sea-Still5427@reddit
Perhaps you could trade them the outsize outdoor grill and chimney? They're probably trying to mitigate the nuisance you cause them.
Virtual_Brilliant880@reddit (OP)
Sorry, to add - itās not my home, but in-laws. They are not overly friendly with their neighbours from stories that Iāve heard
DiskBytes@reddit
If they moan about that, I can see why they're not over friendly.
Virtual_Brilliant880@reddit (OP)
Oh I agree on the face of it, but thereās some stories I could tell you about the neighbours. They once got a puppy for their kids and āreturnedā it as it barked too much š„²
DiskBytes@reddit
Seems fair.
Prefect_99@reddit
Odds are the in-laws are probably the issue then...
IanM50@reddit
Well I was going to say talk to your neighbours, but...
The only other thing I can think of is to install some garden mirrors on the other side of the garden to reflect sunlight from the other side back to this side
dh1805@reddit
It would depend where itās blocking light as Prescription Act 1832 or Rights of Light Act 1959 only cover rooms and windows, and said rooms or windows need to have enjoyed sunlight for 20 years prior. Although as itās several trees it could be a hedge, in which case the Anti-Social Behaviour Actās High Hedges Regulations 2005 might apply. Contact your council or citizens advise about it
grunt56@reddit
Insane to count that as a hedge imo
dh1805@reddit
More than 2 trees, over 2 meters, in a line, falls under hedges in antisocial behaviour acts
Killahills@reddit
It only covers hedges that are mostly evergreen or semi evergreen. So probably not in this case.
grunt56@reddit
Well to me that's nuts. I wasn't arguing by the way, or calling you insane. Simply a comment on the legislation you were referring to. Keep the downvote though if it gets you through the week š¤·āāļø
CanIhazCooKIenOw@reddit
This is hilarious, Imagine a neighbour knocking at your door because your tree is blocking the sun.
Who do you complain to when itās cloudy?
alinalovescrisps@reddit
Old man shouts at clouds, no?
Important-Call6087@reddit
They will come to appreciate the shade on the really hot summer days.
idreaminlowercase@reddit
Itās not that big of a deal
Dissour@reddit
Talk to them
BeautyAndTheDekes@reddit
Iād be glad for the extra privacy they provide. Can you just have a word and come to an agreement with the neighbours? I think this is fine though, assuming theyāve been there a while and not freshly planted like this.
Positive-Sound-4972@reddit
About 4 years ago my neighbours trees (about6 of them) would block my entire back garden for most of the day. Grass wouldn't grow and we were in complete shade, so I had an amazing idea and actually spoke to them. They decided to remove 3 meaning i get a good few hours of sun and they get to keep a line of trees that they want. People can be accommodating if you show respect and are willing to compromise.
Local_Beautiful3303@reddit
Give it 3 weeks and the sun will be higher than the trees and you can bake on your patio till September.
Randa08@reddit
My neighbour has a young tree, but I know in a few years time it's going to block the sun from my garden and I won't be able to grow anything. Very depressing.
RevolutionaryKey698@reddit
Stand on a box.
DiskBytes@reddit
Then when the sun moves, neighbours roof is blocking the sun.
Minimum_Airline3657@reddit
Sun doesnāt move, we rotate around it. Made me giggle writing this lol
DaughterOfATiredMech@reddit
Beat me to it
segundovolante7@reddit
Ask them if they can trim it?
Crazy idea I know but.....have you tried it?
Due-Track1764@reddit
Itās a tree!! Enjoy nature and stop moaning!
richard0cs@reddit
I would add some mirrors to the wall above and to the right, and to where there is presumably about her wall out of shot above and behind/left. Also presumably later in the year it's not a problem when the sun is higher.
PenneTracheotomy@reddit
NAL but it seems like thereād be little you could do as itās not as if the tree popped up overnight without anyone noticing or knowing that leaves would grow on it in spring . Probably a question better suited to r/UKLegalAdvice
xxxxxxxxxooxxxxxxxxx@reddit
There are worse things to deal with from neighbours than some trees.Ā
They look nice!
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