I think it was Daniel Boone who said if he could see the smoke from his neighbor's cabin, they were too close.

In my career I saw vandalism, assault and battery, arson, poisoning of pets, homicide, and a range of chicanery arising from such neighbor disputes. Amicable agreements between reasonable people are always best but when you are dealing with a nut job it will usually escalate to a point of irrationality. Crazy people do crazy stuff. If you can't get them to discuss it reasonably and they continue harassment I would seek an injunction. Get evidence.

So how close to the property line is the tree?
In VA, you can cut the limbs back to the property line if they overhang.

https://statelaws.findlaw.com/...aws-in-virginia.html

At one place I have the neighbors Norway spruce trees are planted on the property line and the roots and droppings trash the yard especially after a wind storm.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveL:
Let me know if this is right: the tree is on your property and your neighbors don’t like it. You tried to work out a compromise and they refused, and they are now using rudeness to try and force you to do something you don’t want to do. You’re not required by law to take the tree down or pay them money because the tree does tree-like things, like dropping needles.

Assuming that’s right, I don’t see what the hawk has to do with anything. You don’t need to justify your decision to us and you can’t to your neighbors.

All hawk are federally protected, migratory bird. Legally nothing can be done to the tree.

Plus the hatchlings are getting really vocal and there's always one of the adults at the tree's peak keeping watch (we think) from the crows or ravens.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
Just tell the old lady to F' off. Actually don't do that. Tell her, if she would like the tree removed, she's more than welcome to call a professional tree company AND pay for it. Since she wouldn't pay for half, she certainly isn't paying for the entire job. Play the don't have any money card, if you have to. I wouldn't budge, but sometimes you've got to scream like people like this.

AFTER the birds and fledgling migrate (we think there's two based on the chirps) it'll be an option.

Oh, and they'll need to remove the gate which they installed on there pool fence and is used (documented with photos) to trespass.

Hawks can be migratory or not. As you get further south they tend not to migrate. We have a nesting pair on our property and they are clearly here all year round. They use the same nest every year.

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
So how close to the property line is the tree?
In VA, you can cut the limbs back to the property line if they overhang.

https://statelaws.findlaw.com/...aws-in-virginia.html

At one place I have the neighbors Norway spruce trees are planted on the property line and the roots and droppings trash the yard especially after a wind storm.

The edge of the trunk is about four feet from their fence. The base is about three to five feet lower in elevation. About 12 feet above their fence line the trunk splits. Compounded with all the rain we've had this year (and no more poisen), this is a very healthy looking tree.

If you like the tree and it is on your property, tell her it's your tree and under no way, shape, or form is it getting cut down. That if you see her on your property you will call the police and have her arrested. And if she doesn't like tree stuff in her pool, to install a screened in pool enclosure.

Hang a noose from it.

quote:

Originally posted by mjlennon:
Hang a noose from it.

Lol

We still favor the extremely lifelike baby mannequin found at the bottom of the pool. But alas, I think money on a game camera or two would be better wiser spent.

They've also expressed concern the tree may fall, uphill, onto their property/ house.

My daughter, the one working on super long worded master's degree in math, claims gravity doesn't work that way and the law of physics supports that.

Who's to believe?

They can pound sand.

quote:

Three years ago we found chlorine tablets around the base of the tree (approx 10 tabs).

This would really piss me off. Not because of the damage it might do to the tree but how dangerous those things can be. If a pet ate one. Someone spilled some other chemicals on them. Screw them. I've seen reactions with those things and other chemicals.

I'd just be honest. I'd tell them that you tried to work with them, even offering to pay half for a tree that provides you benefit and enjoyment. They failed to take you up on the offer, instead they tried to poison/destroy your property and are currently harassing your wife. I would then tell them there is no chance in hell that you'd help them at your own detriment after the way they've behaved. Lastly I would tell them if they set foot on my property again or bother my wife again that it would be time for some kind of escalations of the situation.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
I'd just be honest. I'd tell them that you tried to work with them, even offering to pay half for a tree that provides you benefit and enjoyment. They failed to take you up on the offer, instead they tried to poison/destroy your property and are currently harassing your wife. I would then tell them there is no chance in hell that you'd help them at your own detriment after the way they've behaved. Lastly I would tell them if they set foot on my property again or bother my wife again that it would be time for some kind of escalations of the situation.

I would deliver this exact message, with dates of each "event" via certified mail. It might be fun to watch the postal carrier walk from their porch to yours with the signature card

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Life's too short. Tell 'em to stop pestering you or you'll obtain a restraining order against them.

Put surveillance cams out to watch the tree.

This.

For those interested; when the hawks are sitting high or flying near, the only other birds we note flying are the humming birds. Probably a couple dozen between that tree and a couple others near by.

Those little things flit around the perched hawk in pairs.

quote:

They've also expressed concern the tree may fall, uphill, onto their property/ house.

I'd express concern that their pool may fail causing water damage on your downhill property.

Suggest they remove it immediately.

quote:

They've also expressed concern the tree may fall, uphill, onto their property/ house.

Bluntly tell them their insurance will take care of it. They want to act like arrogant asshats, feed it right back to them. As long as there is no negligence on your part (dead, diseased, etc), it is accurate.

Using a chemical other then its intended purpose is a felony.
I have had some of my trees poisoned after I had to take the people to court for letting their dogs run loose.

I would look up the legal requirement for posting your property and put up posted signs. They have to be a certain distance apart and at a certain level.

VA Code:
§ 18.2-134.1. Method of posting lands.

A. The owner or lessee of property described in § 18.2-134 may post property by (i) placing signs prohibiting hunting, fishing or trapping where they may reasonably be seen; or (ii) placing identifying paint marks on trees or posts at each road entrance and adjacent to public roadways and public waterways adjoining the property. Each paint mark shall be a vertical line of at least two inches in width and at least eight inches in length and the center of the mark shall be no less than three feet nor more than six feet from the ground or normal water surface. Such paint marks shall be readily visible to any person approaching the property.

B. The type and color of the paint to be used for posting shall be prescribed by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

1987, c. 603.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
It's in your property. they can cut anything past their line but tough shit. I wouldn't even go halfsy with them.

They way I understand it, If a tree has a significant percentage of its limbs removed on a single side it will die.

If the mad neighbor does foot that bill or try to hire an arborist, (that would do it), I suspect you’d have bigger mess than what is in play now.

Like lawsuit level big.

I wouldn't even mention the hawks as a reason the tree has to stay. Anybody who'd try to poison a tree might well try the same with the hawks.

Like I said: Restraining order and surveillance cams.

How far from the back of your home, or closer location with power, is this tree?

shouldn't be a problem , at all


just grab your handy dandy trim "O" matic
pruner