Huge tree, big clear up.

We have similar problems on our road. I suspect leaves won't hit any spots, its tedious and I sympathise but here, everyone clears the leaves from these huge trees that land in their own garden and pavement.
Height and shade are contentious issues and your local council will have information on its site.
I solved the leylandi problem along my garden by offering to pay for them to be reduced by 15ft. The house owner agreed and promised to keep them at that height afterwards. He didn't but was 'happy' for me to do so.
Its a very expensive business to reduce a huge tree like the one you describe. Hope your council can help.

Nonogran, I sympathise, as we have trees nearby, but not so big that they could be dangerous.

Do you know if the tree has a preservation notice on it?

Our friend had a huge beech tree in her garden, and had to get permission from the council before they could do any trimming of branches etc.

Nonogran, sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings but the leaves are the least of your problems. The tree roots are massive, they have to be to support the exterior structure. Tree roots that grow towards your house will eventually lift the footings of your property, that in turn will cause extensive damage like a wall cracking. The way to stop that is for the tree to be root pruned.

How I know that is because I lived in a tree lined street back when I lived in London, thankfully the trees came under the council's ownership, one call to them and they sent a parks department specialist. He it was who explained what tree roots can do to a house.

As for resolving the leaf issue, my neighbour didn't like the fern that overhung into her garden, she asked if I could have it pruned back, she even offered a payment towards the cost. I declined her offer and had the tree pruned back. She was most grateful and now I live in peace with my neighbour.

For your peace of mind, could you afford to offer to go halves with her?

If a tree takes light then you’ve a legal right for it to be removed.

The light issue is complicated - no easy solutions to this problem I'm afraid.

I have to clear up masses of leaves from trees on private ground. What is worse are the tiny seeds out of the pine cones, if left on the window sills they leave a little stain that needs bleaching off. The tree you are concerned about may well be one that grows naturally to a great height. However trees to need maintenance and to ask your neighbour to have it checked by an expert isn't unreasonable. The locals authority would need to decide on loss of light etc I think and it's nit as simple as you saying the tree blocks light. Good luck.

I don’t have this issue but I have friends that do, they solved it by sharing the cost when it wasn’t even in there garden. Problem solved, happy neighbours.

Why not explain to your neighbour that clearing up the leaves is too difficult for you and ask her to come round and do it? That would at least relieve one problem.

I have a similar problem. My neighbour refuses to trim his trees as he says he wants the privacy. I have told him that anything that comes from his trees I will return to him. Where we live we have to pay for garden rubbish bins and I don’t see why I should pay for his rubbish removal.
So I put all his leaves back into his garden over the fence.
If I had not spoken to him about it then I would be breaking the law. As it would be considered as fly tipping.
If I was to fill my garden wheelie bin with his rubbish, by the way it’s huge. Then it would take easily 3 or 4 bins worth.
So since it’s collected fortnightly it would take me nearly 8 weeks just for his leaves.

We have a huge tree in our garden which we like specifically because it blocks a less than gorgeous view. Our neighbours hate it. It was here before any of us though.

In the interests of harmony I got two quotes for removing it two years ago as they were constantly on about the shade in the summer. Both quotes were well in excess of £1000.

I have had the tree inspected for safety and it's apparently safe so insurance isn't an issue.

We had a different neighbour's tree fall down in our garden elsewhere and they paid to remove it, but apparently if it falls on your land it's your responsibility!

OP If your neighbour really cannot afford to do the tree, could you persuade her to see if the local authority can give her any help to cut it down.
I dont think making her anxious by saying if it gets to my house it will cost you alot more will help.
If it is such a problem to you, can you afford to help her with the cost?
Your neibour may genuinely not have the finances, and the way you are approaching her may be causing her anxiety. Work with her on this and try to resolve the problem, to be honest your comment to her was negative, and could delay the issue getting done.

I had a similar problem with a huge beech tree in a neighbours garden which had a TPO on it. I have a small house and a small garden and it’s completely overshadowed by this tree. Absolute nightmare, leaf bud detritus in the spring, seed pods late summer and then leaves in the autumn, plus potential damage to my roof as some large branches were overhanging and touching. When the branches started to touch and potentially damage my roof and buildings I wrote to my rear neighbour in who’s garden the tree was and he was extremely unhelpful and dismissive. I then suggested that I had the branches trimmed on my side (2016) and he agreed to this if I paid for it, I was so desperate that I agreed. I got an arborist involved who kindly got the planning permission for trimming the branches on my side and a crown trimming in case he changed his mind and wished to get it done. I paid for my side which was encroaching on my building but my neighbour was annoyed that I hadn’t paid for it to be crowned and trimmed on his side also. The arborist told him in no uncertain terms that it wasn’t my responsibility to maintain and pay for his tree. My neighbour has since moved out although the tree has not been maintained now for 4 years and still needs crowning. I have since been in touch with the new owners and they have been very understanding and although they ve only been in the house a few months they have already employed an arborist and we’re waiting for the planning permission coming through once more so fingers crossed the tree will be trimmed before spring. It’s a huge relief to me as I was on the verge of putting my house on the market as I couldn’t cope with it any longer. Don’t get me wrong, I love trees and I love the squirrels and birds that reside there but this had got completely out of control for such small gardens. Don’t give up hope, things have a way of being resolved, perhaps offer to share the cost ? xx

Thanks to everyone who has advised on my fretful topic! There is no tree preservation order on this Tulip Tree. Having researched matters, I don't think the Right to Light will be helpful & could be costly. My local Council as per their web site, cannot be helpful either.
I have offered to pay a contribution but it was deemed "not enough." She does have children who might help. I know I would if it was a worry for my mum who would be horrified to think she was responsible for something worrying for her neighbours.
I don't think, but have no way of knowing, that my belligerent neighbour has had the tree regularly checked but who knows? I'm sure she would say if she had.
It seems as if I have nowhere to turn so I'll just have to live with it.
I'll sleep in the front bedroom when "weather events" turn scary & hope it doesn't come down on my roof/conservatory. The roots situation does worry me too but the tree is closer to her house than mine, so if there is an issue, it'll likely affect her too.
I'm grateful to all of you who've responded to my plea. I just felt so disconcerted yesterday but a good night's sleep helps to keep things in perspective during these trying times. Thanks all!

If you can afford to, offer to pay to cut the tree down. Far better that than the disruption of the tree falling on your house and causing damage.

If you can afford to, offer to pay to cut the tree down. Far better that than the disruption of the tree falling on your house and causing damage.

I had a similar problem. Every year l had to get soneone to cut the tree back on my side. In the end l said for her to either maintain it herself or get rid of it. Sad for the tree but it was cut down

Try to get the Council on your case quickly, a friend of mine had her entire patio and part of the house destroyed because of her neighbours tree roots growing under her houese, she is in the middle of having the inside of her house repaired then the patio repaired, its a huge job all beause of the neighburs stubornnes not having the tree cut down,The said neighour is deceased and the tree is down, its a bit like bolting the stable door. Please try and get some response from your council.

We have a similar problem with Leylandii at the end of our garden. 1/3 of our garden is not useable at all because of these trees. It used to be a nice low- well kept hedge but when the house behind us changed hands the new owner just left the hedge to grow & now it is 12 huge trees. We used to have a fruit & vegetable garden down there now I have just covered the whole space with black weed control fabric to stop the weeds growing out of control.
When asked if he would keep them cut back he replied his wife likes them! They cannot actually SEE the trees from there house as they have an 'L' shaped garden. I am sure they will come down in a storm at some point as you can see the roots out of the ground already. Then he will have to do something about them.

I have a Neighbours very tall tree (higher than all the houses) in their open plan front garden that is causing a problem for several of the residents including me. I have written to our local council in Suffolk who say there is nothing to be done unless the owner wants to do it. No laws that can make it be crowned etc and no laws about possible damage of property until it happens. Very frustrating.

Oh lordy, a tulip tree! I had one of those in the middle of a small oval lawn. The tree was quite little but we also kept cutting it back as it grew. Then one day I was walking through Trebah garden in Cornwall and saw another tulip tree. It was at least 150 feet high. Mine was removed at the first op. They really aren't remotely suitable for a domestic garden. My sympathies to you and I hope it gets resolved OK.

Nonogran, in your shoes, if I had no joy from raising this concern with the neighbour, then my next port of call would be Environmental Health at your council. They should be both helpful and discreet in dealing with enquiries. And they ought to be able to advise you regarding where you stand. As other GNs have mentioned here, there are issues such as your "right to light", plus the physical safety aspects (for both your and the home) of a large tree growing so close to your property. Even under the current pandemic restrictions, I think Environmental Services should have personnel working from phones/computers, thus they should be contactable, so someone from there ought to respond to an enquiry in due course. Good luck!

Craftycat

We have a similar problem with Leylandii at the end of our garden. 1/3 of our garden is not useable at all because of these trees. It used to be a nice low- well kept hedge but when the house behind us changed hands the new owner just left the hedge to grow & now it is 12 huge trees. We used to have a fruit & vegetable garden down there now I have just covered the whole space with black weed control fabric to stop the weeds growing out of control.
When asked if he would keep them cut back he replied his wife likes them! They cannot actually SEE the trees from there house as they have an 'L' shaped garden. I am sure they will come down in a storm at some point as you can see the roots out of the ground already. Then he will have to do something about them.

Isn't there some law about hedging (particularly relevant to Leylandii) that says they can't be more than 6' tall? I think you could reasonably invoke the law on this and get your neighbour to chop the damn things back. They're a complete blight - I don't know why anyone would ever plant them unless they are blocking out the M1 or something.

I read you can kill a tree without anyone knowing by digging a hole down to its roots and filling it with Epsom salts or bang copper nails in or better still pour a copper sulphate solution in and then cover it up. It is of course illegal to damage your neighbour’s property.