Neighbors Trees? What to do about constantly trimming the neighbors trees.?
Question:I know that this is an issue that neighbors constantly have but I'm just sick of trimming my neighbors trees that grow over the fence. The tree drops things in my yard and I've already had to replace my lawn once already because of the black walnut tree she has that ruined my lawn. I have about 50 little black walnut trees growing in my 2 year old lawn now and I've about had it. The shells drop on my basketball court that my son skateboards on and he has more than once fallen on his skateboard because of them AND landed right on them leaving a huge bruise. I've about had it and am tempted to go over while she's not home and kill that damn tree! Once I trimmed it really far back over her side of the fence and she came over my house crying ... ugh! That darn tree grew faster after it was trimmed and there does not seem like any solution.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Answers:
There is a law to protect you. take them to court if they are jerks if not just talk to them and get them to pay for the upkeep. They cannot have the tree damaging your property or causing injury to your family. I am sure they have homeowners insurance. I forgot the name of it but it has something to do with egress or encroachment or something call youre local Arborist they can tell you and give you and estimate. You neighbors are liable for your damages. I have the same problem with my tree hanging over my neighbors driveway but I clean up after my own tree and her kids wont stay off my lawn and she keeps her trash cans on my property so were even. She had the audacity to threaten to cut my tree down. I told her fine I would dig up my tree and put up a fence around my yard and buy three german shepeards and it would be impossible for her to get out of the drivers side of her car and she would have to find some other place else to store her gargabe cans. So it is best to try to get along with your neighbors. I think your sons bruise was becasue of the concrete and not the tree. Just ask her to move the tree away from your property line. My tree only sheds once per year is it really that bad. NOw if the tree is causing damage to your roof or electrical problems and you think you house is going to be set on fire or something or you car has been damaged a branch fell on it and scratch up your brand new paint job I can see being angry but this seems trivial are you mad about somehting else and taking it out on your neighbor? You can't blame the neighbor for mother nature.
talk to your housing/zoning office. it's her tree, and she needs to keep it trimmed.
if you truthfully want to solve the problem suggest to the neighbor a tree removal service available in your area, or send her the bill for repairing your yard, or discuss your concerns with them.
Nice tree needes silk fabric to tie on.
This person should realize the problems that you are having. First I would very nicely ask her to get rid of the tree because of the problems it causes on your side of the fence. If you don't get cooperation, call the City/Planning Zone. They will come out and look at it and tell the owner what their regulations are re. trees that grow over on your side of the fence.
Go to City Hall and they will give you advise on how to handle your situation!! It is her tree she is resposible but if you damage her property there may be alot of trouble with the city laws!
You are allowed to trim any branches that are over your property, but you cannot force her to trim her tree.
The thing is that trees grow. That's what they do. I am assuming the tree was there when you planted the lawn.
You could try talking to her and letting her know what is happening with your son and you could possibly come to an agreement, but you probably will have to just weed your lawn and sweep or blow the basketball court on a regular basis.
My neighborhood has many old trees that drop all kinds of things on each others lawns. We try to work it out the best we can with each other. Also consider that big trees are what gives a neighborhood character, shade, etc. It is a desirable thing. Mainly, you can't stress about it because it is out of your control. Hopefully she is a good neighbor otherwise.
Good luck, hope this helps!
The owner of the tree has no duty to trim it to satisfy you. They are, however, responsible for any damage caused by the tree, except for acts of God. As an abutting neighbor, you can trim the tree straight up the property line, meaning that you can cut any limb that hangs over the property line, even if this will kill the tree. You can do the same to the roots. (you own from the center of the Earth out into space, in a straight line)
An act of God would include a limb or the tree falling on your property in a storm, where the tree was healthy before. In that case, they wouldn't be responsible for damages. If they knew the tree was damaged, dead, or diseased, they would be responsible.
As a neighbor, you cannot intentionally kill the tree (as in poisoning), but you can take action (at your own expense) that will result in the death of the tree, like cutting the roots. If you poison the tree, you'd be liable for property damage. If you trim the tree or it's roots and it dies as a result, you're not liable.
BTW, she is not responsible for damage to your lawn from the walnuts, nor is she responsible for any injuries to your son from walnuts dropping on the basketball court. In other words, she isn't responsible for any damages you incur unless she knows that the tree is not sound and falls on something. (if she has no reason to suspect that the tree is not healthy, she is not responsible for damages). It doesn't matter where you live; this is a universally accepted legal precident.
Black walnut is one of the most expensive woods you can buy. I am guessing that her tree is worth a lot of money. You should dig up your 50 little black walnut trees, buy some land somewhere and plant them. They take a long time to grow, but they will be worth a lot of money when you retire.
(Just trying to put your "problem" in a different, more positive light)
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