jlo's Profile

Author's Posts

May 1, 2008

Tree Issue

A beautiful old cherry tree in my backyard has 1/3 of its branches overhanging my next door neighbor's backyard. They have complained about it to us before: they dislike the pink blossoms floating into their yard. To appease them, we have had it trimmed but for the short time that it is in bloom, the wind does blow the blossoms into their yard...a pretty high level problem, if you ask me. Today, another neighbor alerted me that the complaining neighbor has now hired a tree cutting service to cut down all the branches on their property. This will most likely kill the tree and at the very least will severely compromise its health. I've read the NY Times article on this site but it does not address NY legal laws. What can I do to stop them from cutting a significant number of branches?

I also wonder if anyone has tried to landmark a tree?

In the interim, short of sitting in the tree, which I plan to do tomorrow, what legal steps can I take to prevent them from cutting the tree?

Advice appreciated!

Posted in Forum by jlo at 7:54 PM | Comments (33)
Categories: Garden

March 27, 2008

House Number

The original number gold-leafed (I assume)house number on the glass transom above my door has all but disappeared. Does anyone recommend re-doing it myself, and if so, how? Stencils and gold paint? I know gold leafing is difficult. Or, does anyone have a recommendation as to who might do this for me?
And along those lines, any recommendations for a place to buy a metal house number to affix to the house's basement entrance?
Thanks.

Posted in Forum by jlo at 10:43 AM | Comments (8)
Categories: Decorative

February 5, 2008

Heirloom-Quality File Cabinet

We are selling a lovely Scully & Scully file cabinet with burled wood details and leather top. Deep drawers. Excellent condition. Photos available. Must be picked up on UWS. Best offer. 41.5 wide, 30 1/4 high, 24 1/4 deep. Send me contact details via post or call 917 617 1420.

Posted in Forum by jlo at 2:02 PM | Comments (1)
Categories: Furniture

January 12, 2008

Heat Issues

Has anyone used any of the heating vendors in the ads on this site and can make a recommendation? Also, we haven't been getting adequate heat on our top floor(4-story brownstone) and wonder what the issue might be. We've let air of the pipes a few times but still hear lots of clanging and banging on the two top floors. We've got HVAC controls on each floor that supposedly regulate radiator heat but it's just not working on the top floor. Also, I wonder what the recommended boiler size should be for a single family, 4-story approx. 5000 sq. feet. Any advice would be appreciated.

Posted in Forum by jlo at 10:15 AM | Comments (8)
Categories: Heating

Author's Comments

Call Hanan at ironhomeandgarden. His work is beautiful. Prices reasonable. I recommend him heartily! 646 319 4144

Posted by: jlo at February 5, 2008 7:45 PM in response to Wrought Iron Fence- $3900?

If any of the above do not work out, try Hanan at iron home and garden 646 319 4144, great work, reasonable prices.

Posted by: jlo at February 11, 2008 11:26 AM in response to Finial for a Gate

I have found Gateway Plumbing to be very competent, fair and reasonable.

Posted by: jlo at April 25, 2008 1:38 PM in response to Recommendations for Plumbers?

Thanks all.

Posted by: jlo at April 25, 2008 1:59 PM in response to House Number

I see you've met them. But can they really cut down the branches if doing so will kill or compromise the tree?

Posted by: jlo at May 1, 2008 8:17 PM in response to Tree Issue

12:22: I DID prune the tree as they asked. But what they object to are the petals. And what's so ridiculous is that even if they cut down all the branches on their side, the branches on my side would still have petals that the wind will carry to their yard.

Anyone have any information about landmarking a tree?

Posted by: jlo at May 2, 2008 7:51 AM in response to Tree Issue

8:55: Tried to photograph the yards, but the tree branches are so high, I can't get them and the fence in the same shot.

Yes 2:21, all this for 2 weeks of pink petals floating into their backyard.

My lawyer says the law is on their side, and that they can cut whatever is in their yard, but that they can't harm the tree. Anyone know of an arborist who can asses just how much is too much? And the cost of a replacement tree? How sad is this?!

Posted by: jlo at May 2, 2008 2:26 PM in response to Tree Issue

I will keep you all posted. Thanks for all the advice!

Posted by: jlo at May 5, 2008 2:49 PM in response to Tree Issue

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

OK..if there are no branches hanging onto their property and it remains solely a petal issue then tell them to go ^%$**^ themselves. What would be the ramifications of just telling them that??

How 'bout posting a photo of the two yards!!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at May 2, 2008 8:55 AM in response to Tree Issue

How about you trim the branches on their side and offer to clean up the petals on some regular basis. It sounds like they are averse to the 'work' not the actual tree. Thus address the 'work'.

Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 10:52 AM in response to Tree Issue

12:22 try reading the post.
"To appease them, we have had it trimmed"

Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 11:38 AM in response to Tree Issue

lemme guess...you live in carroll gardens and you're neighbor is an old fart italian guy who lives in the building he grew up in so he doesnt pay a cent but still complains all day. i know him well...unfortunately.

Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 11:41 AM in response to Tree Issue

11:38 YOU should try reading the post. It indicates that while the OP "trimmed" the tree, they did not cut off all branches crossing the property line. The OP says flat out that these are what the 3rd neighbor said the next door neighbor hired someone to cut off.

I simply suggested that the OP hire someone they trust to do it in a way that won't kill their tree. The petals will be something the neighbor can complain about but will just have to live with.

Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 1:00 PM in response to Tree Issue

what the flying flip?

All this drama due to blooming, then snowing petals that last ALL OF 2 WEEKS? Some people are just assholes, through and through. Give me a break.

Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 2:21 PM in response to Tree Issue

Oh, and i have the exact opposite situation. My neighbors have a huge beautiful blooming tree and I LOVE when it snows in my yard.

Clean up is nothing. htey are meant to mulch out. granted I may have to sweep the small patio so it doesn't clog the drain on the few sparse days it snows heavily.

Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 2:25 PM in response to Tree Issue

8:55: Tried to photograph the yards, but the tree branches are so high, I can't get them and the fence in the same shot.

Yes 2:21, all this for 2 weeks of pink petals floating into their backyard.

My lawyer says the law is on their side, and that they can cut whatever is in their yard, but that they can't harm the tree. Anyone know of an arborist who can asses just how much is too much? And the cost of a replacement tree? How sad is this?!

Posted by: jlo at May 2, 2008 2:26 PM in response to Tree Issue

All of this hysteria is for nought. I can assure you that cutting the branches of your tree will not kill it - it will probably be good for it actually. It may look lopsided and homely, but in terms of health, it will be fine.

Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 3:18 PM in response to Tree Issue

Call the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to ask about pruning or for a referral to an arborist. The have a free call in help line. If you are pruning that heavily they will probably recommend some kind of fungicide be put on the cuts.

www.bbg.org

Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 4:41 PM in response to Tree Issue