To ask/inform the neighbor or not (tree limbs over property line)?

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Ok, so neighbors tree has limbs over the fence (willow, its touching the ground on my side). Law says its my responsibility. Do I give them a chance to do it themselves for their own benefit or do I just go for it? Coworker says to ask them even though its my responsibility. "Give them a chance to do it the way they would want to".
I figure if you've not done it in the time I've been in the house, its not a concern of yours and I just do it myself.
 

deerwhacker444

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steelfingers

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Had that problem a few years back. Neighbor was a witch. Told her that the limbs from her tree were down to the ground on my side, killing my grass and impossible to mow under. I said I'd trim up the tree and carry off the limbs. She threatened to sue me if I touched her tree (the trunk was on her side pushing up on my fence).
Checked the law and the next weekend I took a chainsaw and pole saw and stripped the tree almost all the way up on my side. She lost a screw and called the cops that told her I have the right to do whatever I wanted to anything hanging over my fence.
Ha.
Luckily she moved a year later to be with her kids.
 

donner

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if it bothers you enough to make it an issue then it sounds like you'll do it regardless of what the neighbor says. If you want them to do the work, ask. If you don't care then you can always trim it up and feign ignorance if they complain.

If you just don't want it touching the ground then just trim back enough to get under and see if they even notice.

good neighbors are worth a lot more to me than patches of grass. But i've had good neighbors for the most part so what do i know.
 

Annie

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I had this exact same problem. Neighbors on both side had trees that were creating problems for me. Nobody offered to pay for my damages every winter when my electricity got taken out by said tree in the back.

Last year the maple tree in the front dropped a limb and knocked a window out of one of the cars. A week later the other neighbor's oak tree in the back took out my electric lines (4th time in 5 years). That was it. I called the tree trimmers, forked over the money and shaved both trees straight up the property lines.

Oh, and the neighbors whose tree continually hit my power lines would say every so often "We really ought to do something with that tree in the back". Had the nerve to complain even though I went over and told them what was gonna happen. They still aren't talking to me. Oh well. I haven't lost electricity since I trimmed that damned thing so I'm good with them not talking to me.
 

Judi

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Another reason I love Oklahoma !!!!

....I have to admit the replies in this thread are all along the common line of having neighbors ....trees chapter one...

I have to say no matter how it turns out....so....do it on your own so your property is safe. Most folks will want to complain, as not to stick them with the bill,...or ...splitting it. Those that wont talk to you afterwards, were not worth talking to before, so no lost. Just another ******* out of your life.
 

NightShade

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Personally I would be polite and mention to them that it's being a pain and if they would like the tree to be professionally trimmed and not butchered by a layman they are more than welcome but something will be done by a certain date.

  • If they hem and haw about it then whack them off and be done with it.
  • If they complain and threaten whack them off and record their rantings.
  • If they have something done or offer to kick you a few bucks for your trouble have a BBQ and invite them to join you.
The way I look at most things dealing with people is they can be pissed off or pissed on and I can do both. You try and be nice until it's time to not be nice and then you move on.
 

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