Leylandii disaster

My neighbour has (had) got two leylandii saplings growing near her back patio doors, about 4' and 6' away from our back wall. As they were on the fence line they are the same distance away from my back wall too. They have been there maybe 5 or 6 years and had got to about 10' tall x 5' wide although I cut out the tops several years ago. The neighbours are students and don't use the garden or do anything to it so it is a wilderness.

I have cut a few bits down for them over the years and they always give me permission to go into the garden to work from their side. I have asked them about cutting the leylandiis down several times, (she always says "Fine", and checked with her again a week or two ago, warning her that it would be drastic and they would really see a difference. She always waves her hand and says "Anything".

So this afternoon, I did it. I didn't see any point in just topping these trees, so I cut them off near the base. There's a big pyracantha on my side that will take off like a rocket now that it has plenty of space, as well as a lilac, an elder, a holly, a weigela and one or two unknown shrubby things also along that fence line which will come into leaf in a month or two.

Blow me if she hasn't just been over to complain. She says the girl who has the back room is worried about privacy. And her sister, who owns the house, might be cross.

What do I do? I haven't got any consent in writing. And basically, I think I've just done her a favour as in a few more years she would be paying a tree surgeon to remove them. I've apologised profusely, but AFAIC she gave me permission. Any comments? And hopefully, some sympathy?

 

I would not worry .... the damage is done and there is nothing they can do

if she complains again, tell here she can get off ... she said 'fine' when you asked her

as for the girl worrying about 'privacy', tell her to get lace curtains and normal curtains ...

 

For sure they are well out of the way.

 

The job is done now. All you really need to do is be polite, and say you were told, do as you wished to them .. Point out that your shrubs will now grow better and fill the space and privacy will be restored..

Dave

 

Hi

Send them a bill £££ for cutting it down

Then a solicitors letter about £££ for the back injury as they gave you permission they will soon stop moaning , its nearly spring and things will start growing ,what are you suposed to do put it in a bucket of water


Spruce (in a mood from boring day at work)

 

"didn't your other friend hear her say do as you like with the trees"

Just be polite and firm,common sense will prevail

 

Trees? What Trees? Don't know what you are talking about, do I look like a tree surgeon?

Anyway, if there had been trees there, don't you think I would have noticed?

Then just walk away before they have time to think that through.

Plausible Denial

 

Long term we are a couple of <spit!> Leylandii less.

Sorry for your dilemma. I doubt they will regrow if you have really mullered them. If they are still able to regrow they will do 3' at least in their first year, so by Autumn you neighbours will be saying you are a Hero

If you want an olive-branch get some plants that you would like to be looking at, on their side of the fence, and plant those instead.

 

They will not be regrowing, they are down to 6" stumps!

Replanting is a good idea, with something nice, seeing as my garden is full now! I was going to ask her if she'd mind me having a raised herb bed running next to her path (after I've excavated it) seeing as they don't use the land, and there's a big access hole in their fence where they haven't maintained it, but it didn't seem to be the right moment.

 

Would have been better with hindsight to get the written word Madahhlia,

No matter, she said ok, and thats that.

I have inherited 6 of these monsters but hey, I can move........:yess::yess:

Don't be unduly worried, its not worth it.

 

If I'd have been about, I'd have given you a hand. I think there's a lesson to be learnt here.

Attention lazy jobdodgers, if you are so lazy as to take no interest in your own space, and then a kind hearted neighbour offers to do your chores for you, and you are so lazy that you can't even be bothered to think about what's been discussed so in your haste to continue watching Jeremy Kyle and complaining about only having 6 weeks to write your whopping 5 page essay, then be it on your own head if the result is not quite what you expected. If you have a particular way you'd like the job done, get off your lazy butt, and do it yourself.

 

Just to make sure that they do not return, hammer a load of copper tacks into the stump!!

 

I've heard that tale from many different sources. Does it actually work or is it a suburban myth?