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This is the moment a social media gardening influencer uses a hedge trimmer to scale back a neighbour’s overhanging tree in a move that has divided opinion.
TikToker @smartgarden1982 sparked a furious debate after posting the 52 second clip of himself slicing back the excess greenery that was blocking a driveway.
The green-fingered gardener armed himself with a hedge trimmer to hack back branches and overhanging foliage to align the neighbour’s shrubs with the fence.
His act against his ‘nightmare neighbours’ split opinion on social media, with some rushing to defend him while others blasted his overzealous behaviour.
Using the hashtag ‘nightmare neighbours’, @smartgarden1982 captioned his controversial clip: ‘What would you do if neighbours tree was blocking your driveway?’
One furious TikTok user wrote to him: ‘What is your problem with this little tree? We need more trees not less.’
Another criticised the man’s trimming skills, commenting: ‘You went beyond the boundary in my view.’
One TikTok user added: ‘If it could be me I would never do that. It’s just a tree beyond the fact it belongs to your neighbours.’
Under UK law, homeowners are entitled to trim back branches or roots that cross over into their property from their neighbour’s homes or from a public road.
Gardeners are allowed to cut back up to the property boundary, but face being taken to court and potential criminal damage charges if they go beyond this.
This is the moment a social media gardening influencer uses a hedge trimmer to scale back a neighbour’s overhanging tree in a move that has divided opinion
Those living in conservation areas or in districts protected by tree preservation orders would also require further permission from the local council to trim back excess greenery.
Other online users recognised the merits of the law in this scenario. One TikTok user confirmed: ‘All above board and legal.’
Citizens Advice advises a more conciliatory approach to tackling overhanging trees and hedges.
People reacted to the video with differing opinions. Some said they would have done the same thing while others called the move ‘petty’
On their website, they state: ‘Talk to your neighbour face to face if you can – make a note of what you agreed. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to them, write a letter or ask someone to contact them for you. Keep copies of any letters or emails you send or receive.
‘It’s often best to find a compromise, for example sharing the cost of pruning a hedge even though you think your neighbour owns it.
‘It could help you keep a good relationship and might be cheaper than paying a solicitor to resolve the disagreement.’
