The branches of a neighbour’s tree overhang my garden – can I have them cut back?
Generally ‘Common Law’ allows you to cut back overhanging branches and encroaching roots to the boundary line of your property but this is not necessarily good for the health and the balance of the tree concerned. It is usually better to talk to the neighbour (along with us if appropriate) and come to an agreement on work to be done that is beneficial to the tree, and the look of it, from everyone’s point of view. Please bear in mind that a tree with a TPO will need Local Planning Authority consent even for very limited pruning.
