Boundary multi stem tree

[Barti]

19 minutes ago, rapalaman said:

Whatever is growing over your side, you’re quite within your rights to cut off. I’d be going for about where I’ve marked on the pic.

anyrhing overhanging from the other trunk can be trimmed back to the boundary as well.

As squaredy says - wrong tree wrong place 👍

 

So my neighbour believes because the tree effectively started his side , it belongs to him- he said I can cut any overhanging branch off as long is it doesn’t kill the overall tree. My argument is the whole bloody trunk is my side ,in my property. 

As it’s a two trunk tree, I guess potentially if I cut the trunk on my side down it  it could effect the second trunk , unbalance it or even kill it . But is that my problem? 
 

 

[Mick Dempsey]

27 minutes ago, Barti said:

 

So my neighbour believes because the tree effectively started his side , it belongs to him- he said I can cut any overhanging branch off as long is it doesn’t kill the overall tree. My argument is the whole bloody trunk is my side ,in my property. 

As it’s a two trunk tree, I guess potentially if I cut the trunk on my side down it  it could effect the second trunk , unbalance it or even kill it . But is that my problem? 
 

 

It’s a sycamore, so killing it would be difficult.

Given the info supplied thus far, I’d cut anything on your side and bollocks to your neighbour. 

[Barti]

So if a tree trunk is overhanging you are allowed to cut even it by definition you are going to kill the tree?

 

 

[Steven P]

First thought here, is it worth falling out (more) with your neighbour over it, sounds like you could be there living with them for longer than you want to the tree to be? Some sort of compromise which from the sounds if it - you cut down half, they keep half? but perhaps try to get them to see your viewpoint in a nice way? Could offer to get it removed and plant a more acceptable, smaller growing tree in its place (for the cost of removing a tree a few £10s for a new tree is a small amount) (I'd probably accept a couple of nice fruit trees in it's place if it was me). If it is acceptable to you, you might have to confirm you will pay any associated costs for removal.

 

If it is a sycamore, I think it will be OK, chopping it off above the black marker should reduce the number of new shoots growing from the base afterwards? Even if it chopped down fully a new tree will be established quiet well within what, 10 years? Perhaps on the 'correct' side of the fence. However chopping half down doesn't really solve the problem of the shaded garden or proximity to your house, the other half is still there.

 

For your boundary, I would perhaps consider the fence corners to be mostly accurate, and a straight line between them to be the boundary? Working on the assumption that the fence corner has 3 or 4 interested parties to make sure that is accurate, along the fence line only you and the neighbour. I wouldn't argue this too much though - back to paragraph 1, and you have to live with your neighbour, and so many tales of the nice neighbour suddenly flipping over a small issue.

Edited June 3, 2023 by Steven P

[Mick Dempsey]

Often with neighbours it’s best to fall out early, saves embarrassment later on.

[Mick Dempsey]

43 minutes ago, Barti said:

So if a tree trunk is overhanging you are allowed to cut even it by definition you are going to kill the tree?

 

 

You’re not going to kill it.

[scbk]

They say "good fences make good neighbours"

 

Your fence is shit, it has a sycamore growing through it. And your neighbour is shit.

 

Not that it's any help 

 

 

I assume if you cut the tree down completely on both sides, repair the fence, then your neighbour will magically become fantastic.

 

Best do it while he's on holiday though.

[Dan Maynard]

You should also bear in mind that arbtalk advice at this time of night may be ever so slightly alcohol influenced.

[monkeybusiness]

Cut everything off that is definitely on your side and eco plug what’s left - let your neighbour decide if it is subsequently worth the time, hassle and risk of losing to do anything further about it. 
 

[Barti]

is there anything in writing online that states you can cut an overhanging tree trunk? Everything just talks about branches and roots