trees in a neighbours garden

[kia cat]

Our neighbour [who lets his house out for rent and doesn't live there] has a huge leylandii type tree in his back garden. It's at least 10 foot across and at a guess 30 foot tall. A tree surgeon reckons it could grow another 20 - 30 feet tall or so. It used to be about 7 foot tall and 18 inches in diameter. We've lost a lot of daylight in our garden. We tried asking nicely if they could trim it back or remove it [that'd cost about £350] Surely as tree this big is starting to get dangerous in a residential area. The gardens are all about 50 foot long. Any ideas please? If it fell down, presumably the neighbour would be due to pay for the damage?

[RATTER15]

As long as its in his garden there is not a lot you can do about it, if it does fall and damage your property then he will be liable.

[bednobs]

just because it's big dosen't mean it's dangerous

[AlBags]

It won't fall down.
I agree .. these trees are a pain in the Yabbie .. and I would gladly fell all leylandii with one of my chainsaws.
You must, however, seek a diplomatic resolution :)

[daisya]

I may be wrong but I thought I'd read somewhere about a leylandii law or something like that, perhaps you could Google for info on it.

[buildersmate]

False hope. No such 'law' about Leylandii. There can be potential scope to get the local authority to use the 'High Hedges' elements, under the Statutory Nuisance legislation but one tree ain't a high hedge. No way.

[LoftyLottie]

Would agree that large trees are not considered dangerous and it is very rare that a tree falls. Would also agree that there is no regulations about single leylandii trees - just hedges. There is little you can do if he won't trim it or remove it as Ratter says.

[askyourgran]

I have the same problem the bungalow in the field at the back of our house is surrounded by lleylandii. They must be 25' tall he has trimmed his side of the trees but not ours, it would mean he has to come into the gardens to do that and pick up the branches. I have mentioned it to him but he has completely ignored it, although he said he hadn't realized how tall they were from my side. I thought there was some legislation about that but I'm not sure how to go about it.

[cassa333]

the tree falling down will depend on the size, depth of roots and the type of soil it is in. My late mil had a neighbour with 50 ft leylandii and a couple of them fell down in her garden. He didn't even clear up the damage or rubbish. She had to claim of her own insurance.