Neighbour wants me to cut down these trees

They are old trees and need pruning badly ... I would have them removed [at neighbours expense] and plant something more suitable.

 

Make sire you get then to sign a contract to cover any damage your property, wood remains yours, they fully clean up and stack the wood for you, amd buy 6 foot replacement trees.

 

I think this is your lucky day. As the others have said you should be able to play this right and get rid of a couple of trees which aren't in the best spot to begin with and maybe a new fence for free.

That front tree doesn't look very healthy, looks like someone had had a go at it with a chainsaw already in the past. Is looks like it might be a leopard tree or a jacaranda? Either way they are both too close to your house in my opinion and run the risk of root damage to concrete, plumbing etc. After they are gone you could plant some nice fast growing screening shrubbery down that side, maybe some Lilly Pillis etc? Check out the free council plants, they are usually good hardy hardy choices suited to Brisbane climate.

 

Blueskies thanks for the notice on free plants from Brisbane council, definitely will have a look in the future.

Yeah hopefully a free fence is a possibility.

I'm highly considering getting a contract done now if neighbour is wanting to go ahead with paying this all himself. Just to be sure a professional is used and if any damages occurs on either side of our properties it's his fault and cost alone.

Think a DIY contract from templates online should be fine for a small job such as this ?

 

Cutting those trees down is pretty simple. Remember, at the end of the day you have to live next door to them, so don't be too greedy

 

Those trees look suspiciously like Chinese Elm's... though it's hard to tell for sure from the photo.

If they are Chinese Elm's, you do NOT want them there. They grow fast and they grow big- up and out. Noxious weeds.

 

I'm with the most here - get them removed at neighbours expense.

I think they're dog ugly trees and really close to your house, so might cause problems to you if they stay ... then plant something more realistic

 

Update: he sent through a quote to have the tree cut down low and poison. I was hoping for more of the whole tree removed. Have declined as I prefer the whole thing removed and resoiled

 

You might find you're up for part payment then ... similar to fences ... if the neighbour wants something fancier then they have to pay for it

 

Just wondering on what the basis a part payment related to the trees could be claimed?

I ask because it sounds like the trees are on the OP’s property so I can’t see how the neighbour could force the OP to either have them removed or pay towards removal.

Fences are a bit different because there is a specific law setting out the shared obligation, ways to work out costs etc.

 

Leaving stumps will make it more difficult to put in a fence if ever required.