Just cut straight up, as if the fence continued vertically. I don't think that would kill someone's tree, unless the trunk took a really sharp turn into your side the fence had been built around it or something. You usually only have limbs that are role players on your side, not cornerstones.
By the way, good luck with this neighbor in the future. I don't understand what goes on in people's minds. He treats the branches hanging into his yard as his own to prune, but once they have been removed they are now your responsibility to dispose of. How does one even rationalize that in their brain? Was this an elderly gentleman?
Ok this makes the most sense. Thanks. I found most neighbors helpful, and OP's neighbor should've talked to the OP before dumping branches in the yard.
Yeah, even with that link, there's ambiguity found on forming a common understanding between neighbors. Maybe neighbor felt like owner should've cut it before it got to his side of the fence. Both were within their rights until the neighbor pulled the stunt of dumping the limbs. I'd probably talk about it because even if you don't interact with them normally, letting a misunderstanding fester isn't the best mojo for the neighborhood. Knowing where each other stands is not the same as finding out the worst attributes of each other.
Totally agreed, I need to to knock on some neighbors doors (want to replace some shared fences) later this year. Gonna ask them if they want to share the cost and etc.
My neighbor is retired and is the best neighbor ever. He cuts my grass for free...I'll buy him a case of Coors and drink half with him. I guess you can say I won the neighbor lottery.
I have to agree here. My neighbor was nice enough to cut the tree limbs that were going into my yard and then made sure every limb was removed afterward. She even checked with me to make sure there wasn't anything remaining. IMO, it would be your responsibility to keep your tree limbs off his property. Besides, how hard is it to throw some limbs on a wheel barrow and dump them? Otherwise pay someone to do it for you if you don't have the time/energy.
Take the lone branch, carve it into a bat, call it wonder-boy, and then beat the **** out of his car with it, leaving it in the passenger seat when you are done so he can drive it to the nearest dumpster.
Be a responsible home owner and trim your trees. The guy shouldn't have had to cut the limbs. He shouldn't have to dispose of the limbs either. If you want to be a good neighbor, you should apologize for the way you reacted. I don't think it was the best move for him to cut them first without discussing it with you since obviously it seems to be a festering issue that came to a head. But that doesn't relieve you of the obligation to maintain your property. I see both of you shirtless, handcuffed and crying on an upcoming episode of Cops if this is the way you both react to a routine situation.
Totally disagree with this. Maybe the neighbor likes the shade in his yard..maybe he simply likes the way the tree looks or is a "tree hugger" who doesn't want to do damage to it by pruning off half of the limbs (I'm sorry, but almost any arborist would advise against this if you care about the the tree's long term health). Pruning the tree before the neighbor even indicates there is a problem seems wasteful. You may risk damaging your tree for nothing, and depending on the size of the tree can be pretty costly. The previous neighbor(s) obviously didn't care. The first step should always be the neighbor ringing the doorbell and saying "we need to talk about the tree hanging over my yard"...and go from there. How difficult would that be? I wouldn't take the limbs either. Neighbor wanted to take it upon himself to cut the tree limbs (probably unprofessionally) without consulting me, then he can also take it upon himself to remove them.
Sorry but I agree with your neighbor. As Bobrek's link showed the tree is your responsibility and if it causing a problem for your neighbor you should take care of it. Your neighbor though should've talked to you first about it before just dumping the limbs in your yard.
That's the issue...he had no idea it was causing a problem for the neighbor, and had no indication from previous neighbors that it was ever a problem.
