Two Broughty Ferry families have been locked in a feud over trees for the past 18 years.
Judith Knox and Michael Sproul, of Belsize Place, claim they are being driven mad by their neighbours’ tall firs.
The giants, around 20 metres high, are said to be blocking the light into the couple’s home and garden, as well as causing moss to grow on their roof due to the shade.
Neighbour Robert Bruce, who lives on Margaret Crescent, argued that he has already felled about 10 trees over the years, and a further one in October, costing him thousands of pounds.
Judith and Michael took their battle to the Scottish Government in an attempt to have the remaining two firs removed. However, it was ruled that the two fir trees can stay and there is enough of a gap to allow light through.
Michael, 45, said that he had spent “thousands” of pounds on the battle.
He added: “When I was told the decision had been upheld on Wednesday I was not very happy.
“The trees are on our south elevation so block our light.
“The house is dark and so is the garden and you can’t really enjoy it, especially in the summer as this is when the sun is high and gets blocked by the foliage.
“The removal of one tree has improved the situation but we still have two 19-21 metre high trees blocking out light, which is unacceptable in our opinion,” he said.
“As it stands we are considering whether to speak to our MSP to say that the decision has been reached because of a particular law and we don’t think it is fit for purpose.
“We thought this law would help, and it has to a certain extent, but not nearly as much as we thought.
“This has been a combination of 18 years of discussion.”
In a letter to the Scottish Government, Mr Bruce said: “We have spent thousands of pounds cutting trees in an attempt to assist.
“When we purchased the house it had a beautiful secret garden and one of the main reasons we purchased the house was because of the privacy.
“We have bent over backwards to accommodate our neighbours. Also, the value to our property has been greatly decreased by the erosion of cover at that side of the garden.”
Mr Bruce declined to comment.