Shared hedge (cotoneaster)

suffolk_blonde

Hi, I've got a shared hedge with some new very lazy neighbours. They have suggested that they may want to block path their drive (there is a rose garden currently there)  - question is if they do this in the summer is there a chance that it may kill the hedge? It grows on both sides of the property but there is only me who tends to it. There are also lots of house sparrows who nest in the hedge.

KT53

Is it actually a shared hedge, i.e. jointly owned by both properties, or owned by one party or other but forming the boundary.  It may make a difference to what they can and can't do to it.

Obelixx

Just make sure they leave a decent gap between the base of the hedge and the start of the block paving so that any laying of hard core and cement doesn't harm the roots and there is enough surface soil left to allow water to get to the roots.  The width of the hedge should be enough.   They can always mulch it with chipped bark or gravel to keep down weeds.

suffolk_blonde

KT53 said:

Is it actually a shared hedge, i.e. jointly owned by both properties, or owned by one party or other but forming the boundary.  It may make a difference to what they can and can't do to it.

Not actual sure, Id probably say it belongs to me if anything as I have a hedge on the other side directly opposite, The hedge does have roots on both side though  

worger.three

Quite frankly the best way to manage the hedge would be to offer to maintain it yourself. If he is lazy he might be grateful. You would also be able to discuss the plans that affect the hedge and offer to deal with that part of it. I know you asked about how the hedge might suffer, but this will depend on the care he takes in laying the paving. And I'm not sure I would mention the sparrows - people who are not avid gardeners often don't appreciate birdlife and the mess that can come with it.

That said, legally you need to know where your boundary is. Once you are sure of your boundary then both of you have the right to cut right up to the boundary, and for one of you that will mean the trunk as well. So to put it bluntly, if the point at which the plant meets the ground is on his side of the boundary, he can dig up the plants anyway and you have no say in the matter. And vice versa. In fact if you cut the plants you are obliged to offer him the cuttings (if the plants were to turn out to be on his side of the boundary), and if refused, disposal is at your expense - but very few people bother with this. 

glasgowdan

Calling a neighbour lazy is quite rude and judgemental... 

I suspect they have different priorities in life to you. Do you know the ins and outs of their life inside their home?

They can do whatever they want on their side of the boundary, hedge roots or not. It's none of your business to be frank.

Hostafan1

rofl, and you say @davidthorn79 is being rude? 

suffolk_blonde

Ha ha, Trust a weegie to be a keyboard warrior, too much buckie this morning? - it is my business if someone decided to kill a hedge on my property.Fool....and yes the fella's dad who lives there has already stated he doesn't do anything apart from watch telly and play computer games and I'm just quoting his dad when calling him lazy, who incidentally will be probably doing all the work.  

glasgowdan

I guess you don't want to hear a straight up answer from someone who has worked in hundreds of domestic gardens and came across this sort of thing plenty of times. 

Sometimes the honest replies on this group get people wound up! Look at it as a balanced viewpoint and it may help you work out the best approach. 

glasgowdan

davidthorn79 said:

Ha ha, Trust a weegie to be a keyboard warrior, too much buckie this morning? 

This could be a dictionary example of xenophobia