h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

How do I kill a large fir tree in my neighbours garden without them knowing?

Kill them first?

That's not quite the same thing as your thread title.

That's a bit drastic icy, although it could be an easy solution,now where did I leave my shotgun?

The neighbours have refused to remove it because it's over seventy years old. I personally think it's had a long life and has blocked the sunlight to my front window long enough.

I don't think there's much you can do, Arty - legally at least. If it's diseased then you could get it removed for Health & Safety reasons. It's just one of those things you consider when you buy a house. Have you discussed it with them? Maybe they would be happy with a smaller shrub which blocked out their view of your house but didn't block out your light - but you'd have to pay for it all I guess. Beware too that it may have a preservation order slapped on it - the council would know.

I was thinking more along the lines of poison introduced through the trunk, there has to be a way other than chopping it down during the wee sma' hours.

Causing criminal damage to a neighbours tree is not advised, it'll end messily.

Yes, Croz is right.

I'd try to negotiate a peaceful settlement instead.

Can't be any messier than the tree itself. And anyway I'm not a criminal and I won't get caught !

You will be a criminal if you trespass and then set about doing away the tree.

If they won't remove the tree then try coming to arrangement over getting a tree surgeon in to give you more light but preserve the tree.

If you've already asked to take the tree down and they've said no, and then suddenly the tree dies from poison, I think they'll know where to come

Although this didn't come from me of course I understand that copper nils nailed into trunk can kill trees.
I thought there was some new law about tall trees like Lyandie that has just been bought in that means trees have to be kept to a max of 6-8 feet if causing a nuisance?

Well you could try copper nils, but nails might work better!

Keep in mind that in many places trees legally have financial value, no matter how ugly or how much debris they drop or where they cast their shadows. Just like if you destroyed your neighbor's car, you may end up paying somewhere around $10,000 - $20,000 for destroying a neighbor's tree.

Is that payback? I don't think they would be happy with you...

Raxa xxx


P.S I really want a donut

Mmm...



screen won't let me steal