Berries from our tree falling in neighbor's yard

We have an old, tall tree in our front yard that drops seasonal berries a few weeks every year. Its kind of messy and it attracts flies. The owners of our building and I just hose off our front stairs when we can, wipe our feet on the doormat and call it a day. Our next door neighbor (who moved here well after us and well, well after this tree was first planted) complains about the mess and keeps asking us to trim the branches that hang over his property.

Is there any legal obligation for us to do this? And whether there is or not, if we do proceed, who should be expected to pay—us or our neighbor? Thanks!

newpotato

in General Discussion 9 years and 7 months ago

4

Please log in, in order to post replies!

4 replies

Newest Oldest

jodie1028 | 9 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5009 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5069 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "28384"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "jodie1028"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "jodie1028"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "jodie@127productions.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:46:09"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "jodie1028"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(28384)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Just my opinion – trim the tree. It bothers your neighbor and it’s your tree to maintain. You should pay for it and be a good neighbor.

katdov | 9 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5008 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5007 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184796"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "katdov"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BCxGaFYMvDXGy9L03emV09W6b6Z104."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "katdov"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "k.dovlatov@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:55:26"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "katdov"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184796)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I had the same problem and did a bit of research. By law, I believe, the neighbour can trim any of the branches that hang over his property (up to the property line). However, should this damage/kill the tree in any way, you have a right to file a suit. That said, some arborists won’t touch the branches on neighbour’s property without tree owner’s consent. BTW, my neighbour and came to an understand and hired Arborpolitan. They have very good reviews on Yelp, but I felt they did more talking than actual trimming, and charged a lot for what little they did.

EJR | 9 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5004 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5010 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "79362"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "EJR"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B.h6vu7ImM77fV6j0TvRwlieo3mAr4/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "ejr"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "ejrothman@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(45) "http://www.brownstoner.com/forums/users/ejr2/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:30:58"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "EJR"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(79362)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I believe, though I have not actually seen the law, that it is a homeowner’s right and responsibility to trim any branches that overhang their yard, even if the tree is on a neighbors property. I agree with BSDOD that you should try to work with a neighbor to agree upon a solution that works for both of you, otherwise the neighbor is entitled to hack away at the offending branches with no regard for the health of the tree. Call an arborist to assess the tree and develop a maintenance plan, then split the cost with your neighbor.

BSDOD | 9 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5009 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5011 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "81246"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "BSDOD"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$.OsmxvjaeA121WsOWmpAqePEevkc22uJ0FZbVpsdYeM3BY4gIhuu."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "BSDOD"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "apoprilo@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/apop/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-10-21 00:43:10"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "Apop"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(81246)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I experience this, on the receiving end of the berries. I informed my neighbor about the problem, then trimmed the tree myself. They have a right to trim the intruding branches. It might be a good idea to work with them, if you care to trim the tree evenly. If it’s a mulberry tree, it will grow back very quickly.