Neighbor planting tree near property border. Update #72 problem solved

[taylor3297]

Our neighbors are planting a tree that will become a big tree (according to them) near our property line. I need to research this tree, I think she said it was a silver oak?

Anyway, they already have a Crepe Myrtle near our property line and this tree will be only 3 feet away from this Crepe Myrtle. When the Crepe Myrtle is in full bloom, it shades the Bermuda grass on our property and of course the grass won't grow there.

Now with the is new tree, I am afraid when it is full grown, it will also shade our grass and the leaves will also end up in our yard.

All of this is the front yard. We do not have any trees in the front yard at all. So none of our landscaping interferes with their yard. What options do I have with dealing with this?

These are the same folks that will park their cars in the cul-de-sac where it is hard to back out of our drive way. Have asked them not to do this, but they said "Oh well".

 

[Mokat76]

Unfortunately I don't think you have any options. If it's on their property they can plant what they want. As for the leaves, het a blower and blow them into their yard. ;-)

 

[Mokat76]

Unfortunately I don't think you have any options. If it's on their property they can plant what they want. As for the leaves, het a blower and blow them into their yard. ;-)

That's get a blower. Stupid fat fingers!

 

[FlyingDumbo]

Its a tree. It is in their yard. It is currently not doing anything to bother you. I don't really think you can do anything. And well, I think you are overreacting. Not trying to hurt your feelings, just being honest. If and when the tree gets big and hangs in your yard, then you can cut what overhangs on your property line. I cannot think of a single case in which I would need my neighbors permission to plant something in my own yard. I think with fences and pools you need permission, but not sure about trees.

 

[scrapquitler]

Our neighbors are planting a tree that will become a big tree (according to them) near our property line. I need to research this tree, I think she said it was a silver oak?

Anyway, they already have a Crepe Myrtle near our property line and this tree will be only 3 feet away from this Crepe Myrtle. When the Crepe Myrtle is in full bloom, it shades the Bermuda grass on our property and of course the grass won't grow there.

Now with the is new tree, I am afraid when it is full grown, it will also shade our grass and the leaves will also end up in our yard.

All of this is the front yard. We do not have any trees in the front yard at all. So none of our landscaping interferes with their yard. What options do I have with dealing with this?

These are the same folks that will park their cars in the cul-de-sac where it is hard to back out of our drive way. Have asked them not to do this, but they said "Oh well".

None, really. Even if they plant the tree in the far corner of their yard away from yours, you are likely going to deal with leaves anyway...Maple trees lose their leaves every fall and they WILL blow into your yard.

If the tree is overhanging your yard, you can trim the parts that overhang. But I think that if you trim so much that it damages the tree, you can be held liable for that damage.

 

[taylor3297]

Unfortunately I don't think you have any options. If it's on their property they can plant what they want. As for the leaves, het a blower and blow them into their yard. ;-)

Thanks. I was thinking that. I do know they are supposed to get HOA approval to change up the landscaping, not sure they got this approved.

Just hate that it makes that we have bare spots in our yard due to their tree shading our yard.

 

[Neesy228]

Aside from asking them not to be complete jerks (I might put it a little more diplomatically), there isn't much you can do...it's his property. If the tree gets bigger and it's branches run on to your property, you could cut them back.

Our neighbor decided that he needed to "mark his territory" on all edges of his property shortly after we moved to our current home. He planted lilac bushes along the front, and two trees right along our shared property line in the back. We put up a fence.

Fast forward 9 years, those trees in the back are a pain in the butt for us and them -- we have to ask them every year to cut back the branches that are interfering with our fence and we have to rake their stupid leaves. The funny part is that he planted it first, then we put up the fence, which created this tiny little path for them to walk thru between fence/tree/their deck. The tree has gotten so big that they can't walk thru there anymore to get into the backyard! Still won't cut the stupid thing down though! Heaven forbid.

You can't fix stupid. Good luck!

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Our neighbors are planting a tree that will become a big tree (according to them) near our property line. I need to research this tree, I think she said it was a silver oak?

Anyway, they already have a Crepe Myrtle near our property line and this tree will be only 3 feet away from this Crepe Myrtle. When the Crepe Myrtle is in full bloom, it shades the Bermuda grass on our property and of course the grass won't grow there.

Now with the is new tree, I am afraid when it is full grown, it will also shade our grass and the leaves will also end up in our yard.

All of this is the front yard. We do not have any trees in the front yard at all. So none of our landscaping interferes with their yard. What options do I have with dealing with this?

These are the same folks that will park their cars in the cul-de-sac where it is hard to back out of our drive way. Have asked them not to do this, but they said "Oh well".

So it sounds like they won't give a rip if you like where they plan the tree?

I'd call your borough/township/municipality office to see if there's anything on the books regarding how close to the property line something like this could be planted without your consent.

If there's nothing you can do about the planting, find out what your rights are regarding any and all branches that grow over your yard. You may be able to disuade them from planting there if you let them know plainly that you plan on cutting off ANYTHING that grows across the border of your yard.

 

[Disneefun]

I think you're out of luck. If it's on their property, they can do what they want. When it's bigger, I think you'll have the right to trim any limbs that come across the line onto your property, but that's about all you'll be able to do.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Hmmm, a quick google search shows that the Australian Silver Oak can grow up to 100 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter and they have very messy seed pods.

I would not be happy.

If there's nothing in you local codes about planting something like this close to a property border, I'd do what a PP suggested - get a leaf blower and "return" their tree to them every fall!

 

[taylor3297]

Hmmm, a quick google search shows that the Australian Silver Oak can grow up to 100 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter and they have very messy seed pods.

I would not be happy.

If there's nothing in you local codes about planting something like this close to a property border, I'd do what a PP suggested - get a leaf blower and "return" their tree to them every fall!

Going to have to. This tree will be planted less than 3 feet from our property. I am worried that the roots may come into my yard and cause problems. The more I think about it, the more I get frustrated.

If this isn't a sturdy tree, with the severe thunderstorms we get, I am afraid this will fall on our house once it is full grown. If so, it would land in my daughters bedroom.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I may be wrong, but I don't think there is anything you can do. It's their property. I'd love to know, though, because our neighbor's tree blows little white things all over our house, cars, yard, etc. Drives me crazy. Again, though, I think it's their right to plant whatever they want (unless maybe it's invasive) on their property.

 

[wiigirl]

You can check for any local ordances or home owners.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Thanks. I was thinking that. I do know they are supposed to get HOA approval to change up the landscaping, not sure they got this approved.

Just hate that it makes that we have bare spots in our yard due to their tree shading our yard.

Use grass seed designed for shady lawns and it should help. Not sod, as nearly all sod is comprised of sun-loving grasses, but there are lots of seeds that will grow well in shady spots and that should help fill in the bare spots.

As to the final height of the tree, I assume it'll be a very slow grower, as most oaks are, so I wouldn't worry about it dominating your yard too much just yet.

 

[Gigi22]

Check with your HOA and with your municipality. Some areas do not permit the planting of certain types of 'weed' trees. At least one subdivision in my city has a list of approved trees that people are allowed to plant on their own property, yours may have a similar regulation.

 

[taylor3297]

Use grass seed designed for shady lawns and it should help. Not sod, as nearly all sod is comprised of sun-loving grasses, but there are lots of seeds that will grow well in shady spots and that should help fill in the bare spots.

As to the final height of the tree, I assume it'll be a very slow grower, as most oaks are, so I wouldn't worry about it dominating your yard too much just yet.

We are only allowed to have Bermuda grass in our yard per HOA rules. So this doesn't grow well in the shade.

If my neighbor was telling me correctly, the type of tree they got was a fast growing tree.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

We are only allowed to have Bermuda grass in our yard per HOA rules. So this doesn't grow well in the shade.

If my neighbor was telling me correctly, the type of tree they got was a fast growing tree.

Huh, it's apparently not an actual oak at all but a kind of evergreen. It looks, from what I found online, like a really tall and gangly (and honestly, kind of ugly) arborvitae. And yes, it apparently does grow pretty quickly. Not sure why they'd want that kind of tree in their yard...

That's too bad about the Bermuda grass requirement, as well. Could you apply to the HOA for an exemption for that space, on the grounds that some grass of a different species is better than bare ground? Or put in a shade garden in that spac

 

[anniemae]

you mentioned hoa. Can you chat with someone on the hoa and ask about it? Just to make sure they are aware before the tree goes in, and to get the exact name of the tree? YOu said you were not sure what it is called, so maybe they can give you the definate tree type. Not sure if there is much else you can do though.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think you will be fine. Here, every single house has many mature trees, and decorative trees - I don't think anyone doesn't have at least one tree in their front yard (and lots are small - many of the trees are 100's of years old). We lost several LARGE oaks over the years, and I hate not having the shade. We did plant two trees. The town also makes sure there are trees on the other side of the sidewalks, and will replace them if they go down (some are over 100 years old, as well).

My neighbor's huge oak hovers over dd16's attic bedroom, and it was planted around the same time an other oaks in the neighborhood that were the victims to storms. However, I think you have decades left not to worry....

 

[zoo2tycoon]

To those who suggest blowing the leaves into his yard...please don't! That is not the mature or correct thing to do. I had an issue with a neighbor throwing twigs in our yard, he cut down a tree in our yard (close to property line that we didn't plant because of the berries that fell in his yard). IF he had talked to us we would have picked up sticks and stuff right inside his yard...but he was an a** from the time he moved into the house years ago.
When we saw him throwing sticks from the middle of his yard into ours (and I'm talking a good 40 feet from property line and from his trees) I call sheriff...did nothing when he cut down tree but tried to talk to him. He was rude, nasty and my husband finally got him and me calmed down. So sheriff talked to him...he has lawyer write us a letter saying our trees are killing his evergreens and we have dead trees on our property.
Arborist disagreed --we paid for one to analyze trees. He obviously didn't like letter we sent to attorney and for 6.5 MONTHS had a pile of Walmart and Lowes leaf bags and sticks and junk in the corner of his yard directly out from our back porch. We ignored...knew eventually his HOA would see and hed get in trouble. WELL TODAY HE GOT RID OF THE GARBAGE PILE AND HAS A FOR SALE BY OWNER SIGN UP!

Point is OP...don't blow stuff in his yard. TALK TO HIM...you can cut trees hanging over in your yard from property line straight up at your cost as long as they don't kill tree (there is also a right time in the season to cut them). Tell him your concerns and hopefully he will listen. If our jerk of a neighbor had talked to us we'd have sent our kids over to gather stuff that our trees had dropped (even though we didn't have to)...just to be good neighbors.

GOOD LUCK! Know its not fun having to deal with stuff like this...hope maybe there is some ordinance so he can't plant so close!