Treee help......

[Thomas. PLease.]

Hi there, i recently moved into a student house, its a terraced street so the houses and drives are very close together.

One of my house mates recently bought a new car as well (A 2001 bmw 520i). As it happens there is a tree in our next door neigbours drive, however it overhangs largely onto our drive, and so it is dropping a large amount of leaves, and debris onto the car, and during the long term, i suspect it could damage the paintwork.

Where do we stand in terms of who owns the tree, as it is overhanging our drive. Are we allowed to trim our side of it or not?

Thanks tom.

 

[M0T]

You can trim the part that is on your side, but you must return the leaves/cuttings to the owner if requested.

 

[Mat]

You can trim it but have to give the bits back as far as I remember.

Best ask the neighbours as that is where it is.

 

[Luke]

As said, you may trim the branches that overhang your property but must offer the trimmings to the owner of the tree. This is predominantly applicable to fruit bearing trees.
The trimming must not damage the tree or put it at risk.
There is also a height limit to how far up the tree you can trim.

My advice is to discuss this with your neighbour first, as there is little in this world that can compare to the venom created by tree disputes between neighbours.

 

[~J~]

Don't bother asking the owner, he'll probably be polite and say you can keep them. Just dump them on his land, it'll be a nice present and show you're a thoughtful neighbour.

 

[a1ex2001]

One of my house mates recently bought a new car as well (A 2001 bmw.

compare this to the other syudent thread of the day on how to cook the cheapest meal known to man, wish i'd been rich enough to run a car like that at uni!

Back on topic, you can indeed cut anything that overhangs your property but be very carefull about choping off big branches as if you de-stabalise the tree and it falls over in the breeze crushing your neighbours car you will be liable for the bill. Also please please speak to them first it is amazing the fights you can get into about stuff like this even if you just inform them of you intentions in a letter at least they can't say you never told them!