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QUESTION: Two neighbors disagree about a street tree
05/26/2015 8:30 AM by John M
How would you handle this?
Could anyone offer some advice?
There are two tree wells with beautiful trees in them in front of my house that I mulch, water, etc. I woke up this morning to find that my neighbor had completely butchered the tree in the well in front of my house. Now, I have no shade for my car and the tree looks terrible.
I did not see her do it this time but last time she didn’t like a branch, she just snapped it off.
I love trees, why?
It would be better to notify the Tree Stewards.(http://richmondtreestewards.org/) They are trained to properly trim city trees. They work in Churchill frequently.
I don’t think that it is inappropriate to approach the neighbor. Asking if it was them and why? I would make it clear that you like the trees and that you take full responsibility for them. Also tell them that if there is something about the trees bothering them (they need to be trimmed, fallen leaves ect….) ask them to come to you so you can take care of it. Unfortunately, if they choose to be unreasonable about it I don’t think there is much you can do. Maybe find out what the property lines are. Richmond property tax office should have a record of it.
So… not sure this helps much, but isn’t the sidewalk technically a city easement on your property, which you have some limited responsibility for? Framed that way, rights and obligations start to look confusing. (If the city can make you shovel the snow from the sidewalk that you don’t own but is technically on your property… well, who knows?) Maybe someone with some legal training might have some insight as to whether or not you can tell them to leave “your” tree alone. Hopefully, you won’t need to do that – Also, as the previous comment points out, maybe try to figure out your neighbor’s motives?
Lee, no the sidewalk is city property, not an easement on private property. Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from the sidewalk in front of their property, and for cutting the grass if there is a planter strip between the street and sidewalk, even though that is technically city property. It basically boils down to manpower. The small amount of maintenance for snow removal and planter strip mowing is nothing for a property owner, but would be onerous for city forces when you add up all of that work.
As for trees, city staff and tree stewards are the only people that can do maintenance (e.g. pruning) on city trees. There is too much potential for damage to trees by someone that is not trained in arboriculture.
It’s a bit rude, for sure. As others have said, maybe start with a simple conversation with the neighbor if that’s an option (not sure if there is further history of disagreements coming into play). I would be interested in how the city interprets this as I have a tree directly outside of my house which I *try* to maintain.
Isnt this one of the situations that triggers THUNDERDOME???
JCH – thanks for that info. I had no idea I shouldn’t be pruning it myself. It was looking really bad & took things into my own hands. Next time I’ll definitely reach out to the Tree Stewards.
If you do talk to the neighbor, it should be to give them the tree stewards number. Your neighbor is not an arborist and cannot just remove branches that she does not like.
Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. I did have the tree stewards talk to her last time she broke a branch off because she didn’t like it. Obviously, it didn’t phase her and she tore the tree in front of her own tree well out. Time to purchase a security camera, I think. Thanks again.
Recommend that ou contact the Urban Forestry Commision that works with the Department of Public Works. Accoriding to Sec. 26-650 of the Richmond Code, it was created “for the purpose of improving the City’s urban forestry resources through policy development, advice, education and fundraising”.
Sec. 26-404. – Cutting down any tree on city property prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to cut down or cause to be cut down any tree on any city-owned real estate or in any city-owned right-of-way without the express written permission of the director of public works. Each tree so cut down or caused to be cut down shall constitute a separate offense under this section.
The tree is City property and can be damaged buy inexperienced people. Prunning a tree is between science and art!
The. City does not have the manpower to deal with all of them (a lot) and relie on Tree Stewards to the “small” maintenance and contractors for bigger jobs. They relie on citizen to water the new trees (Planted last year or in 2015). May be your neighbor need to be educated. Can other neighbors help you?
If she tore the tree out of the well in front of her house, isn’t that destruction of city property?
@ neighbor, I did not know about that law. This is exactly what the principal of Chimborazo elementary did with the tree in front – she definately did not contact the Director of Public works or seek permission in any way.
@Eric. Yes, it is destruction of city property. When I went to the police, they asked if I had seen her do it and I had not so it was an “oh, well.” They offered to talk to her but as she is vindictive I’m afraid to take it any further.
People can be nasty. I would just report her and put her on notice that if anything comes about from the report that fingers will be pointed toward her direction. Sometimes you have to stand your ground or people will simply walk all over you and others.