gardening & agriculture

[maureen]

Hi , we are purchasing a house in Abruzzo and our neighbour, who lives down from us, who are italian, have a huge tree which totally block out the view of the lovely mountains. We wondered if they would mind us asking for it to be trimmed down. I don't know the right thing to say as they seem very friendly and I do not want them to think I am being rude, I would pay for it to being done. Any advice would be helpful, thanks, Maureen.

[alan h]

Get to know them first, then invite them up for 'drinks on the terrace', then drop the subject of the view into the conversation.

[Good luck - I think you'll need it]

[Nielo]

Sound advice from Alan, tread carefully.

[liketheroman]

Originally Posted by Nielo

Sound advice from Alan, tread carefully.

Do you think so? I would have gone for the direct approach, very reasonably and politely of course and just asked them. If they are reasonable people you can only get a reasonable response and they might even feel obliged to sort the tree out themselves.

[Nielo]

Originally Posted by liketheroman

Do you think so? I would have gone for the direct approach, very reasonably and politely of course and just asked them. If they are reasonable people you can only get a reasonable response and they might even feel obliged to sort the tree out themselves.

And if they are not reasonable and the tree was planted great, great uncle Mario and is the families pride and joy, you could make an enemy for generations.

[liketheroman]

Originally Posted by Nielo

And if they are not reasonable and the tree was planted great, great uncle Mario and is the families pride and joy, you could make an enemy for generations.

That would be a shame because the tree would suddenly catch some sudden and terrible disease and shed its leaves and hey presto - mountains

[maureen]

Thanks for your replies, I found them hilarious, especially the one about uncle Mario, yes that would be interesting, and the diseased tree was something else, I think I'll maybe go for the direct approach and see what happens, any more ideas would be welcome. Thanks for the advice you've really made my evening, Maureen.

[alan h]

Copper nails in the trunk, and/or diesel on the ground work wonders [or so I'm told]

[Sebastiano]

Originally Posted by maureen

Hi , we are purchasing a house in Abruzzo and our neighbour, who lives down from us, who are italian, have a huge tree which totally block out the view of the lovely mountains. We wondered if they would mind us asking for it to be trimmed down. I don't know the right thing to say as they seem very friendly and I do not want them to think I am being rude, I would pay for it to being done. Any advice would be helpful, thanks, Maureen.

the tree could be protected which would mean,indipendently of what either party may want that it could not be cut down.
in that case be careful as there could be hefty fines involved.
i wanted only to lop lower branches off a huge tree on our land which interfered with other things the forestale arrived and didn't even want that
so it could well not even involve your neighbours...if it's an oak tree it's even more probable that there's not a lot you can do.

[Gala Placidia]

I would simply put up with the tree... After all, it was already there when you purchased the property and I would not dream of upsetting the nice neighbours, great-uncle Mario or local authorities. Smile, there could be worse things to worry about and besides, a big old tree is always something to admire.

Gala Placidia