OT: So a tree from my yard is growing over my neighbors garage.

[HOLLYWOOD85]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

 

[Pontificate]

Listen prick, come outside and talk to me. Quit hiding behind your keyboard.

 

[bluego1]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

Here come the counter-threads. "Some A-hole's tree is over my garage and the SOB wants me to pay to remove it."

 

[Gulo gulo]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

I'd also tell him to pound sand if that's the approach he took with it.

 

[TreyIII21]

Here come the counter-threads. "Some A-hole's tree is over my garage and the SOB wants me to pay to remove it."

 

[tuka313]

Yes, you are within your rights to tell him to go away. Your call on whether throwing him a few bucks would help keep the peace. Sometimes that just encourages them to see what else they can be unreasonable about. Other times it defuses a silly escalation.

 

[GABLUE1]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

Yes but I understand why you are being a dick.

 

[Acekerjen]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

You've made you point(s) that it's his responsibility and it would have been more productive if he would have spoken to you before calling in "The Man." With that said, you definitely don't want an angry neighbor looking for payback. Offering to split the cost seems a reasonable approach to solving the situation, building respect and maybe gaining a friend.

 

[Blucheese]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

You really want to turn this guy lose?

 

[bluego1]

You really want to turn this guy lose?

No, he looks like a looser.

 

[ChattanoogaBlue]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

I'd have told him to pound sand too. Trimming the overhanging branches is clearly his responsibility. I would probably offer to give his tree trimming contractor permission to work it from your property if necessary for safety as long as it doesn't tear up your property, but that's as far as I would go.

Is it a Big Tree?

 

[Socal4mich]

My mom had a tree fall over a neighbor's fence and it caused 3k in damage. It was on him to pay for.

Michigan is funny that way. In california I would have been probably sued.

 

[HOLLYWOOD85]

I'd have told him to pound sand too. Trimming the overhanging branches is clearly his responsibility. I would probably offer to give his tree trimming contractor permission to work it from your property if necessary for safety as long as it doesn't tear up your property, but that's as far as I would go.

Is it a Big Tree?

No not too big. The sad part is it's power lines as well but below them so DTE won't do it.

 

[bluego1]

I'd have told him to pound sand too. Trimming the overhanging branches is clearly his responsibility. I would probably offer to give his tree trimming contractor permission to work it from your property if necessary for safety as long as it doesn't tear up your property, but that's as far as I would go.

Is it a Big Tree?

Not really.

 

[davelocka1]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

I'd ask him is he then willing to go 50/50 on trimming the branches on my side of the fence? If not then tough luck to him.

 

[charcow]

Has he asked u to trim tree before calling code on u? My neighbor has a tree leaning almost 45 degrees just on my property.... looks like shit w half dead limbs..... he won't cut it down..... it's a bad eye sore.... he shod remove it but wont

 

[djsjr5]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

Jesus.. why do people have to be so dramatic. It's a freakin tree. He needs his ass kicked

 

[davelocka1]

I had a tree that was severely leaning over the fence. I knew if a hurricane hit that it could come crashing down on the neighbors. Not sure what the Law here in Florida is but I had it removed just so I wouldn't get sued if that happened.

 

[HOLLYWOOD85]

Has he asked u to trim tree before calling code on u? My neighbor has a tree leaning almost 45 degrees just on my property.... looks like shit w half dead limbs..... he won't cut it down..... it's a bad eye sore.... he shod remove it but wont

No after code.

 

[KalebM24]

If he called code enforcement before asking you, then yeah, there's zero chance I'd give him money. And honestly, even ask you to share some of the costs had he not contacted code enforcement kind of boggles my mind, but I don't know, maybe that's just me.

I'd probably write him a letter, scolding him on not handling the "problem" like a grown up human should in the year 2017, and that he will be getting zero help from you money wise because of handling this the wrong way, but had he contacted you before code enforcement, that you would've have happily split the cost. That he did this to himself, etc. Just make him feel like a piece of s**t. Because that's what he sounds like. Lol. I'd never dream in a million years of doing some stuff like that to one of my neighbors.

 

[TDFever]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

Yes. It's your tree that has become a nuisance on his property. Whatever the law says, you should at least share the cost with him. You told him to pound sand when he was trying to be reasonable, and now you're trying to justify that by saying you would have been more reasonable if he hadn't called the city on you.

 

[jorg96]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

How big is the limb? Why should it cost anything? I've trimmed many limbs that were growing over peoples houses. Why didn't the guy just chop it up. I would not pay to have it removed, simply because it should be a negligible amount at most.

 

[jameshgale]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

Escalating hostility between neighbors has its obvious disadvantages. Only you know whether you care. Even though your neighbor has handled this very badly, you need to decide whether it's in your interest to tamp down the bad feelings. Telling a jerk next door to "pound sand" feels good but isn't always the best strategy for long-term domestic tranquility.

This doesn't necessarily mean that you should share the cost of trimming the tree, by the way. After all, some ways of saying "no" are less confrontational than others.

All that aside, is there any reason that you might agree to share the tree-trimming cost? Perhaps. If the neighbor alone pays to trim the tree, he will control the project. You might not be pleased with the outcome. You therefore might consider whether in exchange for shared control of the work, you'd be willing to pay some share of the cost. The answer depends on several factors that only you can evaluate.

 

[sn0cap2k4]

Youre being a dick but also justified by the way he handled it. Common courtesy would be for him to come over express his concerns and asked it be trimmed back. Id come back 60/40 and say if he has a problem w anything else let you know before he starts wasting peoples time.

 

[HOLLYWOOD85]

How big is the limb? Why should it cost anything? I've trimmed many limbs that were growing over peoples houses. Why didn't the guy just chop it up. I would not pay to have it removed, simply because it should be a negligible amount at most.

No not too big, just some difficulties with cable lines and garage or I would just do it.

 

[HOLLYWOOD85]

Thanks for the replies/opinions.

 

[scheins]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

 

[jimUMfan]

Fighting with your neighbor is never productive.

 

[Monrosco]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

 

[miktimrob]

give him a fiver and tell him that is as much as you're willing to cover.

 

[KalebM24]

Yes. It's your tree that has become a nuisance on his property. Whatever the law says, you should at least share the cost with him. You told him to pound sand when he was trying to be reasonable, and now you're trying to justify that by saying you would have been more reasonable if he hadn't called the city on you.

If your definition of reasonable involves calling code enforcement on a neighbor before contacting them to try and resolve the problem, well, I'm sure as hell glad I don't live next door to you. Smh.

"What's that? You called code enforcement whining about the tree? Before you knocked on my door? Oh, code enforcement told you to kick rocks pretty much? Now you want me to split the costs? Ah, no problem man, come on in, I'll get you a beer and write you a check."

Lmao. No way.

 

[Monrosco]

Had a tree growing over my neighbors garage and he asked me to take care of it, and I did. Your neighbor sucks for calling the city.

 

[TDFever]

If your definition of reasonable involves calling code enforcement on a neighbor before contacting them to try and resolve the problem, well, I'm sure as hell glad I don't live next door to you. Smh.

"What's that? You called code enforcement whining about the tree? Before you knocked on my door? Oh, code enforcement told you to kick rocks pretty much? Now you want me to split the costs? Ah, no problem man, come on in, I'll get you a beer and write you a check."

Lmao. No way.

The neighbor should have spoken to him first. But he's using that as an excuse not to pay for the nuisance his own tree is causing to the neighbor's enjoyment of his property. The law says he MAY trim a tree that is growing on his property. But that does't mean the actual owner of the tree SHOULDN'T at least share the cost when it's become a nuisance to the neighbor.

 

[bluego1]

Gold.

No. Just a fiver.

 

[cmfenner]

Problem Solved, this is the way I would address..

give him a fiver and tell him that is as much as you're willing to cover.

But do so in pennies so as to truly make a point.

 

[ChattanoogaBlue]

No not too big. The sad part is it's power lines as well but below them so DTE won't do it.

For about $100 he can but a battery powered 10 foot pole chain saw and do it himself. I've used one standing on my roof to cut branches away from my house.

 

[UP_Blue]

He should have spoken to you first. But you're using that as an excuse not to pay for the nuisance your own tree is causing to his enjoyment of his property.

He's not using it as an excuse. The branch growing on his neighbor's property isn't his problem. Neighbor should have done a simple google search to learn who's responsible for overhanging trees and walked over and had a conversation about it.

 

[wiedster9]

If he called code enforcement before asking you, then yeah, there's zero chance I'd give him money. And honestly, even ask you to share some of the costs had he not contacted code enforcement kind of boggles my mind, but I don't know, maybe that's just me.

I'd probably write him a letter, scolding him on not handling the "problem" like a grown up human should in the year 2017, and that he will be getting zero help from you money wise because of handling this the wrong way, but had he contacted you before code enforcement, that you would've have happily split the cost. That he did this to himself, etc. Just make him feel like a piece of s**t. Because that's what he sounds like. Lol. I'd never dream in a million years of doing some stuff like that to one of my neighbors.

Don't be a bitch. Say it to his face or don't say it at all.

 

[timthumb]

He called code enforcement on me. It has always been my understanding that you have no responsibility for branches crossing neighboring property lines and they are allowed to trim them up to said property line. The code officer confirmed that. The neighbor wants me to share in the cost. I told him basically to pound sand. Now had he not called in the city and FB stalked me with a friend request (I have met him once after code enforcement came) I may have been more willing to work with him. Am I being a dick?

P.S. hope he's not a member here lol

As long as the tree is okay, you're fine.

If the branch were to break off in a storm and fall on his garage...I hope your homeowners insurance is paid up.

This isn't specific to any state but may be helpful.

http://realestate.findlaw.com/neighbors/neighbor-disputes-trees.html

 

[KalebM24]

The neighbor should have spoken to him first. But he's using that as an excuse not to pay for the nuisance his own tree is causing to the neighbor's enjoyment of his property. The law says he MAY trim a tree that is growing on his property. But that does't mean the actual owner of the tree SHOULDN'T at least share the cost when it's become a nuisance to the neighbor.

OK.