I've been buying hickory or apple wood in chunks and chips, but it just occured to me that my neighbours large apple tree encroaches quite a distance into my garden, if I was to chop a large banch off would it be fine to go straight onto the coals or would it need to be dried out or something first? I don't know what type of apple tree it is but it produces large cooking apples. Theres also a silver birch but that doesnt appear on any smoking wood reference tables
I'm pretty sure that morally I'm ok chopping branches that are above my land
On the moral point of view I'd check first, way better in the long term
On the use front it will need seasoning first, 6 months in a dry airy place or you may be able to speed it up a little in the airing cupboard worth it though
Ask your neighbour first, damaging a cultivated plant, intentionally, negligently or recklessly is an offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 (sorry a flashback from a previous existence) and could cause problems in the future. If he is unsure just let him know he is going to be contributing to the enhanced flavour of the food you may be inviting him to taste down the line.
Here is the link to an earlier discussion on fresh wood
I thought that if a tree grew over your property you were entitled to cut the branches down as long as you gave them back to the owner. Or is that just an urban legend?
Regardless of legality, it's usually better to have a neighbourly chat first anyway
Urban myth, however if it was a deseased tree and in danger of damaging your property by say a branch falling into your greenhouse, then there is a precedent whereby you comitted the act in the belief that the owner would not object due to the potential circumstances i.e. his having to pay for the damage/injury caused by his neglect.....(something like that it's 36 years since I memorised it)
Of course, a quick conversation with your neighbour is the way to go.
But looking at a number of UK sites (including a couple of local government sites) suggests that pruning any branches up to your boundary is perfectly legal if they refuse to do it for you: http://www.medway.gov.uk/environmentand ... stree.aspx
Thanks all for the info. I will defo ask before I chop out of courtesy. But after googling some websites and even a police information site I think I'm allowed to prune to my boundary. some of the branches are already almost in my shed
