The house on Walkers Heath Road in Kings Norton, Birmingham, when it was taken over by foliage (L) and has now been cleared (R). (Anita Maric via SWNS)
By Ed Chatterton
Residents have spoken of their relief after an overgrown house left swallowed up by nature was finally cleared up - after 40 YEARS.
Locals previously described the nightmare at living by the "eyesore" end-terraced property, which was left under a blanket of foliage after being overtaken by trees, weeds and ivy.
The home, in King's Norton, Birmingham, was rendered virtually invisible after its "nature-loving” owner neglected to cut back the plants, which then grew out of control for decades.
Last year, the three-bedroomed property on Walkers Heath Road was sold at auction for £150,000 after the previous homeowner, aged in her 90s, went to live in a care home.
Startling before and after pictures show how it's now been turned into two neat rental flats following a monumental gardening job to remove the huge mass of greenery.
Neighbor Vivienne Attwood, who previously described it as like living 'next to West Midlands Safari Park', said: "It looks a hell of a lot better, that's for sure.
(Anita Maric via SWNS)
"The new landlord came in and then, with the help of a couple of friends, they were able to clear it all up in a couple of months.
"They had to put a new roof on as the ivy had got through and sort the rendering out. It was some gardening job, but they did it quite quick, really, I was surprised.
"We were worried it might be turned into an HMO, but it's two rental properties now and we've had no issues, so I think everyone is happy now.
"It caused problems with rats but now they have gone away. For now, at least because with these bin strikes you never know.
"But we're relieved we're not having to live next to a giant treehouse anymore."
Photographs taken last year showed the front garden overrun with plants and only the front door and a satellite dish visible.
Now, only a single tree remains in the front garden after its new owner completed the mammoth clear-up operation.
Mom-of-four Vivienne, who works as a doctor's receptionist, said previously: "My husband trims it back whenever it encroaches and luckily we've stopped it getting into our roof.
"It's good for wildlife but not for my guttering and roof.
"We moved in 40 years ago, and it was just allowed to grow and grow from there.
(Anita Maric via SWNS)
"But she used to have somebody in to trim it back until about 10-15 years ago when it was left completely untouched.
"It has then been allowed to completely take over the entire house.
"You get people walking by stopping in their tracks as they can't quite believe it. It's not every day you get a massive tree house in Birmingham.
"She had volunteers offer to cut it back, but she refused as she said she liked nature. She was stubborn."
Another local, who did not wish to be named, added: "It became somewhat of a local landmark - you had to see it to believe it.
"But it wasn't nice for the direct neighbors, so everyone is pleased it has been tidied up now.
"I'm all for letting nature flourish, especially in urban areas, but that was definitely too much. You couldn't even tell a house was there."
