Neighbours blaming our tradesman for killing their tree
Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.32 PM
Our neighbours have a HUGE conifer, right on the boundary with our property. It was about 40-60ft high and they had about a 3rd of it lopped off the top and a lot of overhanging branches removed from our side about 18 months ago as it was unhealthy, brown areas, dropping branches, etc. Shortly after this we had an old wall replaced with a new fence, including a concreted in fence post about 2ft away from their tree (following the original wall footing, it should be closer according to the actual boundary, but we respect the tree has grown there now). No roots were cut. The tree now looks worse than ever, dead branches, mainly at the top where it's been exposed and leaning their way. They have been advised to fell the tree. We have no issue with that as it blocks out a lot of light and is, frankly scarily, close to our house. They have now said they want to "go after" the tradesman how installed our fence. He's a sole trader, good at his job, came very highly recommended and was doing exactly as we instructed. We don't want him to have to deal with this as we genuinely don't think he did anything that would kill, or even damage the tree. My question is, do we have to give them his details?
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Every tree and every plant if you’re going to cut large amount of leaves and branches they get upset and it takes some time to grow as long as you didn’t touch the roots it’s absolutely fine
Not at all.
This particular species of tree is notoriously difficult to cut and keep alive , it is not uncommon at all for conifer trees to die once they have had work done on them , especially a major job like this one. I Personally would of advised the client that the tree was already in a bad state and there was a big possibility that after more work it could deteriorate. It’s certainly not the fencers fault in my opinion.
Hi, would it be possible to send some photo's please. It would be hard to sue the fence guy, however it's never good for trees cutting roots. How many, and how big? At this stage do not give the details to your neighbour. Or come to an amiable financial split for the tree work, or reduce tree to arrest leaning. Best regards Richard - Talbot Trees Ltd.
I do not feel that you have an obligation to pass on the details of the sole trader who installed the fence. However on the other hand, it would likely resolve the situation if all parties were able to hold a discussion, as a group. I do not know enough to be able to comment confidently, however It's likely the trees suffered initially from the 'heavy reduction'. With conifers this can be done, whilst retaining live growth (green); it can also be done badly quite easily. The footings for the wall may have required some root cutting, however hopefully your contractor followed the guidelines available for root pruning; it would be their discretion as to how 'hard' they do this and how attentively. Again, if done badly it could be detrimental to the trees health. No harm in holding that discussion to avoid misinterpretation of fact and possible further disagreements.
Depending on how much was taken off. Leylandii Cypress are notorious if you cut back to hard it won't regenerate. Usually if you top a Cypress it will fire back. I believe it's maybe a combination of cutting back to hard and as you mentioned it's near a house and new fence has been put in, compaction around the rot plate but more likely it's been hit hard one to many times.
Just to add, be mindful when removing a large cypress near a house that moisture in that area will comeback sometimes affecting the foundation.
