Neighbours fence gravel board cracked by tree in my garden

[reb78]

Petty topic, but my neighbours son has just been round (she wont talk to me) because the base of a tree in my garden has pushed against the gravel board of our boundary fence and cracked it pushing it marginally into her garden. She owns the fence on that side.

If it were the ither way round, i would just live with it, its not a big deal but she isnt like that. I suspect she wants to put me to the hassle of taki the thing down so she has a straight piece of concrete to look at.

Pics below. Any other solutions than to remove the tree? Its not big so not a hard job but I’m not here much at weekends so of a quicker solution was available i’m happy to hear it. Only thing i can think of is to cut a section out at the bottom of the stump but that will probably kill the tree anyway!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Tell her if she would like to pay for removal of the tree...
If it was me living next door id chop the gravel board either side of the tree amd rebar to hold in place.

Not strictly true. If have fitted a more suitable fence for the application.

 

[reb78]

Shes like a honey trap for cowboy builders so noone she pays will be working on my side of the fence! She stopped talking to me when i told her the pikeys ‘building’ a wall couldnt build it on my side of the boundary and that we could build it across the boundary but only of ahe paid proper builders and gave it a foundation of more than mud!

I’m like you though. If it was me, i’d trim the gravel board around the stump and hold in place with rebar.

Technically i suppose my tree has damaged her fence so i will need to do something i guess.

 

[angellonewolf]

i cant see realy any way of sorting that out

taking out a chop of 3 inches will not help the tree and will make it more unstable

and will only last a couple of years befor the tree gets bigger and does the same

 

[MattH]

Just ignore them.

 

[reb78]

Its so petty it’s unbelievable but this silliness from her dates back years.

 

[rtbcomp]

I've got a tree in my yard that pokes from under the boundary wall. I was wondering that if the main root was on the neighbour's side it would be her tree? After all initially the tree grows from the root.

 

[Migmac]

Her fence is to close to your tree !
I would just cut the gravel board, and replace it with a shaped bit of board. Possibly colour it the same as the original gravel board

 

[malcolm]

Hawthorn is it? Shame to chop it down. Garden law forum is worth a search - there is some on https://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/trees.html suggesting the neighbour is entitled to chop the roots if they want to put the board back.

I have a huge willow that annoys the neighbours. I quite like it despite the mess it causes.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Just ignore them.

Aye, but sadly they sound the type to have everything written down for future ammunition. "On Sunday 4th November, 2018 my son approached my neighbour at 09:38 to discuss damage done......" - you get the picture

 

[eSCHEn]

Sucks to be her.

 

[steveo3002]

I'd be chaffed off if someone's tree busted a board too...can't you shave a bit off with a saw and throw a new board on they're only a tenner or so

 

[Screwdriver]

Here's what I did under similar circumstances: https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/tree-fence-interface.72456/

The TreeHugger™ is pat.pending...

<edit> incidentally, would you happen to be in a conservation area by any chance? Also, what would happen long term if someone applied for a tree preservation order? I believe legally you should have the opportunity to "make good" any required repairs.

 

[reb78]

I'd be chaffed off if someone's tree busted a board too...can't you shave a bit off with a saw and throw a new board on they're only a tenner or so

Looking at it, it must have been like this for years. It didnt happen yesterday. Its just the next way to try and make some trouble!

 

[reb78]

Hawthorn is it? Shame to chop it down. Garden law forum is worth a search - there is some on https://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/trees.html suggesting the neighbour is entitled to chop the roots if they want to put the board back.

I have a huge willow that annoys the neighbours. I quite like it despite the mess it causes.

I will probably have to do something. I have asked the son if they would consider letting me cut the board either side of the root but i suspect the mother will go for the most hassle to me option of removing the tree. I would be more inclined to do it if ahe could speak to me in a civil way!

If i have to remove the tree they will have to wait until i have time.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I will probably have to do something. I have asked the son if they would consider letting me cut the board either side of the root but i suspect the mother will go for the most hassle to me option of removing the tree. I would be more inclined to do it if ahe could speak to me in a civil way!

If i have to remove the tree they will have to wait until i have time.

As the tree now grows over a boundary line as evidenced by the pics above its now a boundary tree. Owned by both parties.
Get an arborist to give you a price and tell her she will have to pay half for removal.
As it's now a shared tree you are also only liable for half the costs of the replacement gravel board.

Then give her the option of cutting the gravel board as a quick cheap fix.

 

[Maker]

Tell him you want to hear it from her, just be annoying for the sake of it, it's always fun.

 

[reb78]

Tell him you want to hear it from her, just be annoying for the sake of it, it's always fun.

Haha. I nearly did. But he’s alright really and has a load of other stuff on his plate.

 

[roofman]

Look at her in the face and smile while saying "soon be Christmas" then walk away...concerning the tree, do nothing!!

 

[Agrismith]

I would try and get a tpo put on the tree therefore the tree stays regardless and the only option is to trim the gravel board its petty but she sounds petty to