NEIGHBOURS who split their tree EXACTLY in half two years ago are still feuding, those living nearby claim.
The dispute broke out over the divisive tree in Waterthorpe, Sheffield, in 2021 and residents say it’s still a topic they avoid discussing.
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Bharat Mistry and his family said they were “gutted” when their next-door neighbours called in tree surgeons to cut half the branches of the 16ft tall Fir Tree that had stood for 25 years.
The drastic action came after a year-long fight between Mr Mistry and neighbours Graham and Irene Lee, both in their 70s.
He claimed Mr and Mrs Lee had complained birds in the tree were making too much noise and making a mess of the drive of his bungalow in Brier Close, a quiet cul-de-sac where houses sell for between £160,000 and £220,000.
And today the tree is still standing tall – but it’s half the width.
Local Pauline Kagtowski said there’s “still friction in the neighbourhood”.
The OAP told The Sun: “It’s a shame it had to be cut in half. It was always a perfectly shaped tree but it stlil looks nice. It’s unique.”
Pauline admitted: “It still causes friction in the neighbourhood and between the two households.
“We’re not meant to take sides, but secretly we do, because both families have lived here for years and we don’t want to offend either.
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“Everyone around here knows about the conifer cut in half and it’s put out street on the map.
“I thought it might have died off by now but it’s putting up a fight.”
She claimed the two neighbours were still upset by the goings-on – but are “polite and pretend not to be”.
Pauline continued: “They both keep their gardens looking beautiful, and I still admire the half tree when I walk by.”
She said she calls it the Tree of Life, adding: “It keeps living and it keeps dividing us all.”
When approached this week by The Sun a defiant Irene said: “We have no regrets about cutting it in half and can’t believe this is still news.”
Asked if she was still at loggerheads with the tree’s owners, she replied: “We get on with everyone in the street. We’ve been here for a long time.”
I thought it might have died off by now but it’s putting up a fight.
Pauline Kagtowski
But mum-of-two Mrs Mistry, in her 50s, hinted that there was still a bad feeling, saying: “We get on with our business and they get on with theirs.”
The supermarket admin assistant added: “The tree is still here, and we maintain it.
“There’s no friction with next door at this present time, there’s more important things in life.”
Other neighbours tried to play down any dispute, with one saying: “It’s dead and buried now, like the tree should be.”
Another joked: “We’re not allowed to talk about that tree. We’re a close-knit community and we’ll get in trouble.”
One added: “It’s a lovely neighbourhood. I can sympathise with pigeon poo dropping on a car but I don’t want to get involved.
“We won’t say a bad word.”
Irene’s daughter, who lives in the corner of the close but doesn’t overlook the tree, said: “We’ve forgotten about it.
“It’s all in the past and we want to leave it that way.”
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