Neighbours leylandii blocking all my sunshine in garden and downstairs

[genlistlass]

Hi All

My neighbour on one side has a very tall leylandii hedge at the bottom of his garden which blocks out the sunshine to my greenhouse and houses thousands of dirty smelly starlings and on the other side, my other neighbour has a very large old conifer at the bottom of her garden which not only blocks my sunlight but houses hundreds of dirty smelly starlings and the rainwater runs off down the side of my tool-shed which is now always wet inside!

The bottom of my garden is now in dense shade and none of my wild flower seeds grew there this year. The grass is often muddy too. I only get sunshine downstairs when the sun is directly at the bottom of my garden. My trees are deciduous, my neighbours are all evergreens and its worse in the winter. My washing doesn't dry except at midsummer when the sun is directly overhead...

I like to keep on good terms with my neighbours and I will talk to them but I need a little info on my rights before I do this.

Fed up Gen in Northumberland       12C and murky at 7:42am

[genlistlass]

[therosy1]

I have experienced similar problems before.  Neighbours have a legal obligation to keep the height below certain limits although I know that some neighbours can be very touchy about this.

I am not in your region but looked up your local council, who can force owners to reduce the height of trees.

www.northumberland.gov.uk/idoc.ashx?docid=6c790f12-4dc2-450c-b6ae-884df2ad1f5e&version=-1

This is the url of a "complaint form" for your council but I see that they want a £400 fee for you to lodge the complaint.  They also say that they will not take action if you have not already approached your neighbours.

With my very touchy neighbour, I offered to pay the cost of reducing the height of his leylandii.  Any reasonable neighbour should be sympathetic to your plight and may not even realise that it is a problem.  In those immortal words: "It's good to talk".
Good luck.

[lincsyokel2]

On the other hand, if all else fails, a good regualr watering with sodium chlorate will soon sort them out....................

Its also a little known fact that a couple copper rods or long copper nails driven into a tree and the base will kill it, as it stops the flow of sap up the tree. Its a bit obvious if they cut the tree down where the nail is tho...............

[cornykev]

Were the trees there when you moved in, just a thought.  ??? ??? ???        ;)

[genlistlass]

Thanks to all for constructive and not so constructive remarks:-))

I have checked out relevant legislation and had a good look at the offending vegetation. Now for ATTACK.

Watch this space.


Gen in nippy Northumberland

[tomatoada]

Best of luck and do let us know the outcome.    I know 2 people with the same problem.  I think the £400 should be refunded by the owner of ther trees.


Could someone explain  :-)  to me?

[Grandma]

Tomatoada - I think :-) is a smiley face (on it's side). I'm guessing but :-)) could be a big, cheesy grin!

[genlistlass]

Tomatoada - let me introduce you to emoticoms


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emoticon



Gen in Northumberland