4 min read
56 comments
The decision to remove part of the tree to prevent birds from entering the land raises questions about environmental impacts and conflicts between neighbors.
One of the tree cut in half has become an unlikely icon in Sheffield, England. What started as a bitter dispute between neighbors has become a tourist attraction and even received reviews on Google.
In 2021, Bharat Mistry was devastated to see half of the branches of his 5 meter tree being cut down by Irene and Graham Lee, his neighbors.
The drastic action generated controversy and made the tree famous. The border dispute, which began a year earlier, ended up attracting curious looks and generating local interest.
- Mega railway worth R$6,5 billion is created by Rumo aiming to connect cities and relieve pressure on important Brazilian highway (BR)
- In constant chaos and at risk: why this country, considered one of the most dangerous, attracts more than 100 thousand tourists per year
- Woman decides to live hidden in the bathroom of the company where she works as an extreme way to save on rent
- Discover the widest avenue in the world — 16 lanes and up to 5 minutes to cross on foot
The story behind
The tree had stood in front of the Mistries' home for 25 years. To them, the tree was more than just a plant; it was a part of their home's history.
However, the Lees, who lived next door, did not see the tree in the same light. The presence of birds nesting in the fir tree caused problems. Bird droppings were damaging the Lees' driveway. The tree had become a nuisance to them.
The situation became increasingly tense until, in 2021, the couple took drastic action and cut off some of the tree's branches. Bharat Mistry, who watched the scene with sadness, tried in every way to stop the action.
"We begged and pleaded with them not to do this, but their minds were made up.”, he declared. The decision to cut down the tree, which had been part of the landscape for 25 years, seemed irreversible.
The emergence of a tourist attraction
Despite all the controversy, the cut tree ended up becoming a curiosity for Sheffield residents.
Three years after the incident, the place, once a quiet dead end, has become a stopping point for curious people and tourists.
The cut tree, with one side of its branches intact and the other visibly pruned, became an unusual attraction. It didn't take long for it to be marked on Google Maps, and even receive reviews.
One visitor wrote: “Interesting tree that was cut in half due to a fight between two neighbors. The story also made the news, and it was interesting to visit the site and see the news turn into real life."
The curious thing is that, even after so much time, visitors still passed by the place to take photos and record the moment.
The impact on neighbors
Although the scene became a local attraction, the dispute between the Mistries and the Lees still left its mark.
Neighbors near the tree say that even after years, the relationship between the two couples has not been restored. One resident describes the situation by saying: “When this first happened, people would drive up to the street and drive by slowly to get a good look.”Although the tension has eased, the image of the cut tree remains, bringing back memories of the fight.
Interest in the cut tree even spread across social media, with memes and photos being shared widely.
But it seems the event hasn’t been entirely negative for the neighbors. One resident commented on the situation with empathy: “I think they both have their points. He wanted his tree well taken care of, and the other just wanted his garage to be clean.”For him, both continue to be good neighbors, despite what happened.
The fame that came with the tree
The tree-cutting phenomenon went beyond Sheffield and even made it to the national media. A photograph of the event was sent anonymously to a local TV programme and quickly spread across the internet.
The place, previously known only to the neighborhood's residents, became a symbol of an unusual dispute, which remained engraved in the collective memory of many.
The Mistries themselves, though they expressed deep sadness at the loss of the tree, do not speak of the incident any further. Mr. Mistry was clear in his displeasure: “It’s very sad to look at the tree, because it had been there for a long time and was very beautiful.” For him, the image of the mutilated tree still provokes a feeling of loss.
With information from independent.
Mutly, catch the pigeon. Medal, medal, medal…
It was a tremendous ignorance of the neighbor to do this to the tree, there was no need for it in my opinion.
Nobel Prize for Ignorance for those who cut it!
If João thinks like that, he should go there every day and clean up the poop for the inhabitants of that house.
You will be doing an action of EMPATHY. 😂
When it is just a fruit or a fruit of interest, I would never think it was bad or fight, I would just put a mobile blanket or cover in the car.
Come on John, show that you are a straight guy and clean the entrance to Mr. and Mrs. Lee's house every day, because they are already elderly. Interestingly, the neighbor who owns the tree never volunteered to clean up the bird poop or even pick up the poop at night.
**** **** and selfish.
B!tea R!idicula
Sure, as long as the owner keeps the neighbor's entrance clean.
Yes, you could have the neighbor clean the garage too. It's easy when the other part gets dirty, but when it's time to clean, no one comes to do the job.
I've had the disappointment of having my neighbor's tree invading my yard. You can't imagine the hell it is to live all the time with birds making nests, the nests falling down full of feces, lice, those 4, 5 eggs broken on the cement, that bad smell of eggs in the sun, often, the eggs with birds in formation... you didn't see, **** goes, gets it and brings it to eat inside the house, on the couch... do you need more,,??😆😆😆😆🤮🤮
To me, this is nothing more than ignorant people with nothing to do who, if they had something to do, wouldn't be so picky about trees and birds... this is absurd.
It would be a great privilege to see and have a nest in my backyard. I would be delighted to help raise the chicks. Good afternoon.