EXCLUSIVE Sydney woman ordered to cut down towering tree

A 20-year neighbour feud over a backyard tree in Sydneys inner-west has wound up in court, with a pensioner ordered to cut it down.

The trouble with Janice Caves liquidambar in Annandale started in 2008, when a neighbour claimed its roots were blocking their sewer pipes.

There were also arguments over who should clean up the trees autumn leaf drop and the lack of sunlight from the dense, 25m canopy, which extended over about five properties.

The dispute escalated in 2022 when a large branch fell and demolished a glass table on the property of George and Carole Norman, according to a decision from Acting Commissioner John Douglas in the Land and Environment Court NSW.

Two years later, an even larger branch fell and destroyed the Normans fence, prompting them to launch legal action to get the tree removed.

They argued it presented a risk of serious personal injury to them and their grandchild.

But Ms Cave, who has lived in Annandale for 42 years, contended there was no proof the tree was dangerous.

The tree has a dense, 25-metre canopy which extends over about five properties

The trouble with the liquidambar tree on the Annandale property of Janice Cave started in 2008

She said it was a heritage item that kept neighbouring properties cool and provided a habitat for bids, bees and possums. 

Most of the trees trunk is on Ms Caves side of the boundary, though some of it encroaches on the Normans side. 

There was some debate over the trees age at the hearing with the commissioner concluding it was long-established and had existed for at least 42 years, while Ms Cave believed it was at least 65-years-old. 

Ms Cave said the tree was healthy but the commissioner found it had extensive fungal decay due to a lopping from decades ago, and was now structurally flawed and unsafe.

The pensioner was ordered to pay for the trees removal, as well as $1,600 to the Normans (their $600 insurance excess for the branch fall in 2024, and $1,000 for stump grinding and to fix paving uplift from the trees roots).

Both parties were ordered to plant and maintain suitable replacement trees in their backyards. 

Ms Cave, 75, told Daily Mail Australia she was in a bad state after the decision and had been shouldered with the estimated $20,000 to $30,000 cost of removing the tree. 

I have to organise the funds myself and Im not sure how Im going to do it, she said.

Janice Cave must foot $30k bill for removing ‘structurally flawed’ tree

Most of the trees trunk is on Ms Caves side of the boundary, though some of it encroaches on the Normans side

Its more devastating for me than just chopping the tree down - its affecting my whole life.

They (the Normans) are aware of my financial situation. They appear to be trying to destroy my life. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted George and Carole Norman for comment.