Neighbor has tree right on property line that has destroyed our fence

[Anonymous]

Our neighbor has a tree right on the property line that keeps growing. The girth of the trunk has now pushed out and destroyed our fence. It was never like this before, because google has images from 15 years ago with our fence in tact from previous owners. The tree is simply growing out of control and the neighbor left it growing in a terrible spot.

And no, we can’t cut down the portion invading our yard. It’d require basically splitting the trunk in half because it is straddling the property lines. What can we do here?

[Anonymous]

Should have handled it a decade ago. Now get a new fence that accomodates the trees

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should have handled it a decade ago. Now get a new fence that accomodates the trees

I didn’t own the house a decade ago.

[Anonymous]

On property line? Pay 1/2 to take it out.

[Anonymous]

I'd modify the fence to accommodate the tree, but I like trees. Whether they started in my yard or my neighbor's. I don't want to cut any of them down.

But if you really want the tree gone, you could offer to split the cost in half with your neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Why would you screw with a tree for a stupid fence? Fences are ugly and fleeting.

[Anonymous]

Move the fence! This is not hard. We have a couple trees on our property line and built the fence around them. In one spot, the fence comes in about 8 inches into our property, so the trunk is fully in the neighbors yard, and in another spot it’s the opposite.

[Anonymous]

Ask the neighbor if you can cut down the tree at your expense or move the fence around the tree. Not sure why you think the neighbor has any incentive to cut down the tree at their cost.

[Anonymous]

Adjust the fence and keep the tree.

[Anonymous]

If it’s right on the property line are your sure the neighbor considers it theirs? Could be a tree that grew naturally, like from a bird deposit. Talk to the neighbor and see what they think of the tree.

[Anonymous]

You fix the fence and make it smaller, duh.

[Anonymous]

In this situation two neighbors in my street split the cost of taking down the tree. It was too close to their houses anyway. The neighbor who owned the fence paid to repair it.

[Anonymous]

Darn those trees and they’re incessant growing!! How dare it invade your yard! Doesn’t that tree know its place?!

Yes, you’re a moron.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Move the fence! This is not hard. We have a couple trees on our property line and built the fence around them. In one spot, the fence comes in about 8 inches into our property, so the trunk is fully in the neighbors yard, and in another spot it’s the opposite.

+1 we had to move the fence because of the neighbors trees/big bushes, but the canopy still covers our yard.

This is what happens when you have close-ish neighbors. That's the price we pay for living near people and their homes.

[Anonymous]

You are a steward of the tree, OP. Move your fence.

Unless being the truly annoying neighbor in this situation is your goal.