Annoying neighbors are a very common phenomenon around the world and in all eras. It is quite possible that when ancient people still lived in caves, even then there were absurd characters who were indignant that the neighboring mammoth tusk blocked the sun for them.
Especially “wonderful” are people who have just moved into a new place and immediately begin to try to set their own order, not paying attention to the fact that some things and traditions have been close to their neighbors for years. However, who cares about these neighbors when we urgently want to put a hot tub in our backyard?
This story is actually about those naughty and “entitled” neighbors. The original post on the AITA Reddit community has exactly 12.0K upvotes right now, and almost 2.2K different comments and counting.
More info: Reddit
The Original Poster lives in their late grandparents’ house, gradually modernizing it
Image credit: Wall Boat (not the actual image)
It all started, like many legendary stories in the history of humanity, with an apple. The Original Poster moved into their late grandparents’ house a few years ago and has since gradually modernized it to fit their own style. However, there is one thing in the garden that OP would never touch, and that is an old apple tree.
Image credits: Late_Adhesiveness859
There is an old apple tree in the back garden planted by the OP’s grandpa many years ago
The tree was planted by OP’s grandfather on the very day his family moved into this house, and the sapling itself was taken from his family orchard – thus, part of the family moved to a new place.
This tree has fond memories from OP’s childhood – they climbed it, picked delicious apples… and now the tree is in danger. The thing is that recently a family moved to a neighboring house, immediately demanding that the OP cut down the tree.
Image credits: PortoBay Hotels & Resorts (not the actual image)
The new neighbors demanded that OP chop the tree down as it allegedly cast a shadow into their garden
It turns out that the old apple tree allegedly cast a shadow into the neighbor’s garden, where they planned to arrange a hot tub. The OP tried to politely explain to their neighbors that the tree had sentimental value to them as a memory of their grandparents – they didn’t care. “After all, it’s just a tree!”
Image credits: Late_Adhesiveness859
The neighbors started threatening OP with legal action and even promised to invade their garden themselves to cut the tree down
The OP decided to smooth things over by treating the neighbors with fresh tasty apples, but they instantly killed all the good attitude towards them, threatening to take OP to court or even promising to force them to satisfy this demand immediately.
Image credits: CJ Matulewicz (not the actual image)
The OP finally lost their temper, stated that the tree was under regular video surveillance (since the neighborhood children tried to steal apples from it), and that in case of the slightest hint of intrusion into their garden, they would call the police. After that, like any good person, the OP began to think about whether they did the right thing.
People in the comments unanimously decided that the OP is absolutely right and their neighbors are simply “entitled” jerks
However, commenters immediately dispelled their doubts. The OP was reminded that any unauthorized attempt by the neighbors to do something bad to the tree would be an extremely costly mistake for the neighbors, and that the couple themselves looked like smug jerks who didn’t give a damn about other people’s sentimental values.
Some Redditors in the comments even offered their help to the OP from a legal point of view, as well as in terms of setting up cameras in their garden properly. In any case, everyone massively agreed that a tree, especially with such a wonderful history and memory, is much more important than any neighbor’s hot tub.
As we have already said, all good stories have long begun with an apple, but they should definitely end with your comments, and if you have another similar story, be sure to tell it here. Even if it doesn’t start with an apple…
It is clearly not "just a tree". It's a living link to your grandparents. With luck, it'll be a living link to your own grandchildren. A literal family tree. Especially since the tree was already there when the neighbors moved in, they are out of luck. Don't let them wear you down.
Totally agree with the advice to get cuttings/seeds and starting new trees. Wouldn't hurt even if the new neighbors don't do anything to the tree.
Apples do not grow true to seed, and cuttings don't work so well. What they could do is graft some stems from the one tree to others (accomplishing the same idea), but in any case, they are NTA :)
Load More Replies...Hmmm....my neighbor's house casts a shadow on my patio pretty much all afternoon and evening. I wonder if I can make them take it down? Seriously, they want you to remove a tree because it leaves a shadow?!
Yeah, what they gonna do next, complain to the weather people to change the weather forecast because there's some clouds casting a shadow over their entire property? Like bruh.
Load More Replies...The words "just a tree" sound so wrong to me. In Judaism, cutting down a fruit tree is forbidden. A fruit tree is a living thing that keeps giving. Even one without sentimental value shouldn't be cut down for no good reason. This one is an old friend. (Also, is a shadow really such a barrier to the construction of a hot tub? I'm not an expert, but that doesn't sound right.)
How many people actually use a hot tub during daylight hours?
Load More Replies...Apple trees, even fully grown, aren't that tall. Here in Norway the "neighbour law" states that a tree must be placed at least 1/3 of the trees height away from the property border, so a 12 meter tall tree must be 4 meters from the border, a 9 meter tree 3 meters away, etc. Apple trees are normally 3-4 meters tall so 1 to 1.2 meters from the border 😉 Not overhanging is the most important things for so small trees.
Around here, outside of an orchard that trims them down, 10 meters is the norm with some growing higher. Had one in my childhood backyard that hit 15 meters and sprawled everywhere. And we're at a sun angle that if placed on the south of a property could easily eclipse shade for a decent sized neighboring area. But I'm with OP in that if the neighbors don't like where the shade hits, they can put their stuff in a different place.
Load More Replies...It's just a hot tub, what's the big deal? It's just the sun, what's the big deal? I'd be just as dismissive of the things that matter to them. And trees *are* a big deal, it's why there's such strict laws surrounding them and why the fines are HUGE when people illegally cut someone else's trees. That tree is a much bigger deal, legally speaking, than their hot tub.
I don’t understand how someone can move into the neighborhood, then proceed to tell everyone around them what to do like they own everything! Obviously these new neighbors are way out of line in their demands that you cut down your mature tree. It is good that you have cameras monitoring already. Make sure that you absolutely do not give in to their demands because if you do I am sure that they will have many more demands. Tell them that if they wanted a yard with no shade that they should have bought one with no shade. It is not your problem if they don’t like the shade from the apple tree. Oh, and those little sprouts that you get when you have an apple tree, you may want to let some of them mature rather than removing them. A couple of apple trees would help to screen the view of your yard from those nasty neighbors and costs less than a new privacy fence!
I live in a rural area. There are many livestock farms here. Sometimes, people will move next door to a livestock farm, then complain of the smell. The farm was there when they moved in, and they knew it. Same with your neighbors. The tree was there before they moved in. They knew it. The tree is not hanging over their property or causing a safety hazard. They are potentially inconvenienced at worst, but they made the decisions to move there, to place a garden there, and decided that is where they wanted a hot tub. Too bad for them.
I would be tickled pink if my neighbor was generous enough to share their tree’s apples with me! If a neighbor’s fruit tree ever hung over my property line, I would consider and fruit that fell in my yard as a bonus. Besides, it’s a tree with history, and I love knowing about stuff like that. F**k their hot tub. My support will always be for nature. Do not touch my tree, and put your f*****g hot tub somewhere else—-it would be too close to MY property line anyway. What if it leaked and all that chlorinated water seeped into the ground? That would kill my tree. So f**k you and your hot tub.
What everyone said about this tree being important and beautiful and meaningful is absolutely true, but even if it wasn't, it's on his property! It could be a 40 foot rusty silo painted safety yellow, and they still wouldn't have the right to demand that's it's removed. His neighbors display a special level of entitlement.
This .. you don't get to tell me beyond common law what is allowed on my property(obviously already established laws count heh).
Load More Replies...Apart from anything else, that tree was there when they bought the house (since they're new neighbours), so it was really up to them to decide whether they could live with it or not before buying the house and if they couldn't, not buy it.
If the tree doesn't have any branches that cross over the property line and isn't in danger of falling onto the neighbor's house or property, the neighbors have no case. If the neighbor gets really upset and harms the tree in any way, THEY can be sued for destruction of private property etc... If the info about the situation provided here is correct, the neighbors have no case. If they're disturbed that much by the tree, perhaps they never should have bought the house to begin with.
I would say to them do you know how much noise a hot tub makes day and night. maybe a lawyer is a good idea. that will shut them up , as they do make a noise.
I would put up a VERY tall fence between the properties. They think the tree casts shade? lol
I was thinking the same thing, put up the tallest legal fence as close as legal to the property line, and make sure its shadow is complete - no spaces between slats. Bonus if it completely covers the tree's shadow.
Load More Replies...NTA, not ever. Let them spend a fortune on a lawyer making fools of themselves. They have no legal grounds. Even if the tree's branches encroached on their yard, their only legal option and right would be to trim the branches back to exactly the property line and not one millimeter more. Lack of shade is not your problem. They knew what they were buying and were just entitled, pompous, and arrogant enough to think they could impose their demands on you. THEY LOSE...
Sentiment or not nobody has the right to tell you what to do on YOUR OWN PROPERTY...and if they do something sneaky prosecute and make them pay out the nose. Since they have already been so nasty I would probably have them trespassed (official notice on file with the local jurisdiction that they are not allow to set foot on the property) so that if you do catch them on camera on your property doing something to the tree the police can handle them properly.
so NTA. and, let them get an attorney. they will lose as if the tree is not overhanging in any way into their yard but is only blocking light. and, as far as installing cameras regarding people helping themselves, good! my son's walk to & from school had him walk by an older man's house who was known to yell at kids because of them stealing his fruit. my son comes home one day w/his backpack full of fruit. asked if he had stolen it from him & he said no. the man had been watering his garden & he asked for an orange. the man gave him oranges, lemons, peaches, etc. when my son tried to refuse the extra the man told him no, he was thankful that he had the manners to ask. from that day my son told me the man would often be out afterschool with fruit for him.
It is not 'just' a tree. It's a Tree. For me people who cut down or damage healthy trees are in te same category as murderers. Trees are beautiful. Sitting under a mature tree and see the sunlight filter through the branches and leaves is such a fantastically beautiful sight. If the neighbours don't like the tree they should move to an appartment block, no tree in sight on the third floor.. Criminal idiots.
They have 2 choices; either to choose other side to place their hot tub or move to different house! Easy~
Even if it wasn't sentimental, it's your tree. these new neighbors are rude, mean, and crazy. I'm annoyed that I have to clean my neighbor's leaves for months, ( they don't and they blow my way), but I would never want a tree cut down! They only want their tub in the one spot of shade? Sounds like they just want to fight and hurt others.
NTA. I am so tired of people complaining about some property issue that existed BEFORE they moved in. I know of number of cases (used to work for a county government), whereby people move into (or build) next to a farm, local dump, airport ... whatever. And, they complain about the smell, noise, or whatever. Yo, people, think before you buy! Do not expect any issues you have after you buy! What idiots!
We bought a house with three trees that are 100-200 years old. They do overhang neighbors' properties and we looked into property laws soon after we moved in. In Tennessee, US at least (laws differ by state) we don't have to remove any overhang, and neighbors can only remove overhanging limbs themselves at their own cost. Even if limbs fall on their property and cause damage, we are only liable if they had already requested we trim it and we were just neglectful. Our trees are so tall it will be very costly to have a service trim them, so we've been putting off get getting it done. Our neighbors are super friendly though and have offered to share the cost of taking care of some sketchy looking branches.
Sentimental value or not, it’s their property. They cannot be forced to remove a part of their legal property regardless. Man- if somebody threatened like that they might just get a tree shoved up where the sun REALLY don’t shine
NTA, and the neighbors don't have a legal leg to stand on. Trees are classified as property, so if they damage it, they can be held liable. They have no say on what you do with your property. (Also, I suggest you buy 3-4 other apple trees at the end of the growing season. They'll probably cost about $35 each. Then take cuttings from your grandparents' tree and graft them onto the trees you've bought. This is the best way to propagate apple trees and ensure that they fruit. This site provides instructions for propagating apple trees: https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/chiwonlee/plsc368/student/papers02/maasheim/appleprop.htm)
I would also suggest, if she hasn't already done so, to get motion sensor lights for the back garden. They bought the house knowing the tree was there. Not your fault they're entitled idiots. NTA..give them the apples and tell them where they can stick them. Next time they say it's just a tree...ask them where their grandparents/parents are buried. You'd like to dig them up to make way for kids playground. After all..it's only a box of bones......
Even without sentimental value, trees are valuable in and of themselves. Infinitely more than a hot tub. F*ck these people.
The OP in this article isn't the AH the neighbors are. This apple tree in question, according to the post, is completely on his property and doesn't overhang onto the neighbors property. The neighbors are obviously entitled type people. If I was the OP, I would welcome these loons taking me to court. They don't have any grounds for a lawsuit.
Hmm... in Germany (and probably everywhere else) there are laws on what is to be done in case of one's property (the tree) disturbing another one's (shadow on neighbours garden). Especially old trees exceeding a certain circumfence are protected even against their owner here :-). The only chance to remove or to force your neighbour to remove a tree would be damage to the house. (tree smacking facade, roots damaging cellar etc.). "Shade on my sunny place" does not count...
Also: The next thing would probably be a sun shade over their hot tub...dont't ya use hot tubs in the evening or in the cooler time anyway?
Load More Replies...Many years ago, my husband and I moved into our first house, and loved that it had a willow tree in the backyard. After a four years of the neighbours complaining it shaded their garden too much, we said we would allow them to cut it down if they removed the stump and all the branches. To be honest, we were tired of the bug the willow tree attracted. In the autumn of the year the tree was cut down, we sold out house and moved to another town. The next summer, I was speaking to a friend that lived close by to our old house. Turned out, the willow tree was essential in keeping the back yards dry, as willows need a lot of water. The neighbours basement flooded and the back foundation wall collapsed after a very wet spring as the willow wasn’t there to sop up the water. My ‘response was a shrug and “Too bad, so sad”.
Tell them their car blocks your view down the street and ask them not to park it on the driveway, see how they respond to that.
I've got stuff that is a lot less useful, but still do clinge to it and enjoy to do so. Some of it far beyond any chance to ever use it again, but ... but as it is as it is, as long as I live, it bears value to me. The tree is only a tree for some random stranger, a treasure for people who enjoy actually tasteful fruit (the old breeds, you know...), and a special treasure to you because memories and stuff. Never cut it down. Neighbours are replacable. The tree isn't. Make'em move out. Make'em hell. Protect the tree, with an iron cage if need be, or with the foreign legion even.
These are the same people who buy houses by an airport and try to shut it down because of the noise! Buy a house where nextdoor neighbors have a tree, plan to build spa under the assumption that they can bully the neighbors into cutting tree down, threaten legal action. Now they've started a war. Somehow I think living next to these Karens are going to be impossible
NTA and no legal basis unless they can prove the tree is a threat which I assume it isn't. Good luck convincing the judge to proceed with trial.
It is not "just a tree"! It is a living thing and your heirloom - basically, part of your family! The neighbors can go ... well... entertain themselves. If it were me, I'd be scared as s**t, though, that they'd cut the tree while I;m not there. I mean I would sue them and win, but the tree would still be gone - and who knows if they are willing to pay the price of the lawsuit... I'd probably not only get new saplings from that tree, but also get it its own fence, maybe even with barbed wire, so it is not possible to just sneak in and cut it.
I know there was a case in California where some large tree - redwoods(?) had been planted when the homeowners first bought the home. Over the decades, the trees grew large and shaded a neighbor's home. Neighbors took them to court and won, and they were forced to cut down the trees. It's not always cut and dried. The apple tree is probably safe, especially being shorter and totally within the property line, but.... I hope the OP gets both an arborist and an attorney, and sends the neighbors a warning.
I would not only value the tree, but also value the shade it casts. Sitting in the broiling sun is not fun. I value my mature trees and every year tell the electric company they can NOT cut down the trees I have along the lines. They ask every year and I keep saying " no, trim it." Meanwhile I would be very tempted to start fertilizing my garden in that corner of my back yard with something very smelly....it's on your lawn, not the neighbors. I've also read of a neighborly dispute which resulted in blackberries being planted one side of the property line...they are impossible to keep out on the neighbors side...in the meanwhile the pies and jam are fantastic.
No tree is "just" a tree. They literally ensure we can fückin breath, provide shade, food, shelter, and the basis for the majority of our evolution. Scientists were able to also discover that trees actually communicate to each other via their root system(some cool video on YouTube about it). Trees are living , breathing things, they have so much to offer, and this one roots you to your family. It's not "just a tree", it's your family heirloom and guardian. Absolutely NTA
Wow, the entitlement of some people!! The only thing id be "demanding" from said neighbor is that she share some apples with me in the fall! Lol. "Just a tree?" Have they no heart?
Ok, I did a bit of research. People have been sued/taken to court for a tree in a neighbor's view. (Getting a lawyer's advice may be a good idea). There are actual lawyers whose forte is tree law! There are also almost as many cases as there are trees!! The second piece of info I found has to do with a consulting arborist who know the laws also. His name is Lee Block and he wrote a book that may help you. The title is 'Tree Law Cases in the USA'. Your issue is NOT unusual and YES you need to do some work so that you can lawfully protect your tree and your rights to own/leave it where it is!! Good luck! I do not envy you. These neighbors are going to be hell!
How dare they... Yes, get some cuttings, because you don't know what some people are capable of. I would love to have a family hairlum as alive and beautiful as this. I rent a small apartment. You live IN part of your history and EAT fruit from a live part of your history. If I could, I would travel all the way to wherever you are, knock on your door and respectfully ask to be honoured by eating an apple from a true family tree. DO NOT relent. Maybe week legal advice, to get these aweful neighbors off your back?
Well they could compromise and prune a bit the tree (sometimes it is healthy to the tree, if done right). Or suggest the neighbour build it in another place (since the tree WAS there when they moved there. But am I the only one that got a bit mad at the comments saying "PLANT MORE TREES AND NEAR THE PROPERTY LINE JUST TO SCREW WITH THEM"? I mean, people aren't used to live in society anymore, that we must seek every single opportunity to being an AH? Defuse the situation, don't build more bombs.
I can see so many violations and things you can hold them accountable for and can use against them in court. (Depending on where this is in the world and what laws governs there.) But if this be in the USA and it's laws. You could use their statements such as admitting to commit a crime by trespassing onto your property without your permission/consent, activity destroying of property and so many other things they can be charged for and could even face jail time. I'm not even joking when it comes to that. A tree that provides fruit can be held higher/more valuable sometimes than a ordinary tree that may only be 20-50 year old tree. You cut a tree down and can only use it's wood/lumber once. But a fruit tree, (aka, the apple tree) can continue to be used multiple times to produce fruit/food for people, such as the home owner. As to a farmer, loss one tree and it can dig into a farmer's profits. I can see if OP was to go to court for their apple tree, he would win the court case.
Well I see only one remedy for this problem. I suggest you go and buy another half grown tree and plant it where it will really irritate them. 🤣🤣👍👍🍏🍏🍎🍎
Wow what a petty bunch they are. You are NTA. Tell them to go pound sand. It's illegal to damage or alter property that's not yours. The fact that this tree produces FOOD (apples are very healthy to consume), they also convert carbon dioxide to oxygen which we breathe, they protect soil from erosion, they provide shade and shelter to birds and other wildlife. Keep up surveillance on tree. I recommend both suing and pressing charges if the neighbors attempt any action against the tree.
100% NTA. As a former hot tub owner, complete with dedicated gazebo, I would've *killed* to have neighbors providing free shade. They'd have NO IDEA how good they had it until they get sunburns over their entire bodies.
Offer your neighbour a bag of apples and suggest he eat them backwards. What a d**k.
If the neighbor continued to be a PITA, I would put up a tall privacy fence around my yard. It will efficiently keep them out - and block more sun from their lawn.
NTA. Your attachment to it aside, the history of the tree aside, it is your tree in your yard, it is not dangerous, it's not dying, You should leave it. If the neighbor doesn't like it, that's their problem not yours.. Do not cut down a perfectly healthy tree so Karen can get a little more sunshine on his hot tub. Hot tubs are for nighttime anyway. You hang out at the pool for sun and you have cocktails after the sun goes down in the hot tub.
Keep your tree, plant some seeds. All those talking about "cease & desist" letters don't make sense. Cease & desist from what? All the neighbor did was ask him to cut down his tree. He said no. There is nothing to "cease & desist." If they were to start trimming limbs, call the police. That's destruction of private property and trespass if they go onto his property to do it. We had a neighbor who told my wife she had to cut down some trees on our side of the property because she was afraid *if* they fell, they *could* land against her house. These trees are over 100 years old and at least 80 feet tall. There's an old 3-story carriage house at the end of our driveway which would be more in line with any of the trees falling. We're not worried about the carriage house. My wife told her to go pound salt. The trees were staying. Nothing has been said about the trees ever since. We lived here for 45 years and she bought into that property a couple of years ago - a 4-unit apartment house.
They bought the house as it is. The tree was there when they bought it.
Have an arborist check out your tree. Get his advice on how to best care for the tree, how to make cuts/grafts to propagate trees from this one and how much it would cost to replace the original tree. Then talk to a lawyer about what is going on and what the tree means to your family. Let the neighbors know what value of the tree is and how much it would cost to replace it should something odd happen to it. Let them know that there are camera on the tree. Try to be as polite as possible but let them know the tree is not up for debate. Knowing what it would t cost them might get them to back off. Money is often a better motivator than good will, which is a sad thing to say.
I have a neighbor (we live in a rural area) that harassed me about my roosters crowing at all hours and insisted that I get rid of them. When I ignored him, he came back and offered to pay for me to “get a rooster that didn’t crow as much”. LOL. Where I live, you are allowed to have as many chickens as you want as long as you have at least 3 acres. I was VERY tempted to get more roosters….
Wait.. this guy set up cameras to catch kids taking apples? Is he planning on going to the police? I guess he is an a*****e.
Wow what a petty bunch they are NTA. Tell them to go pound sand. It's illegal to damage or alter property that's not yours. The fact that this tree produces FOOD (apples are very healthy to consume), they also convert carbon dioxide to oxygen which we breathe, they protect soil from erosion, they provide shade and shelter to birds and other wildlife. Keep up surveillance on tree. I recommend both suing and pressing charges if the neighbors attempt any action against the tree.
The thing to do if your neighbor continues to be a PITA and you can afford it - put up a tall privacy fence. That will essentially kill the sun on their property at certain times of the day. It would also keep them off your property.
How is this even a question? This seems more like someone just wanting validation. Like "My house casts a shadow on the neighbors yard and so they want me to tear it down so they don't have shade on their hot tub. AITA?"
I think that means three times the actual monetary costs of damage done.
Load More Replies...Instead offer to get him a vasectomy and not to breed and to produce any more self rightious a-holes like him
File a motion and take an early lunch. It's what they do.
Load More Replies...It is clearly not "just a tree". It's a living link to your grandparents. With luck, it'll be a living link to your own grandchildren. A literal family tree. Especially since the tree was already there when the neighbors moved in, they are out of luck. Don't let them wear you down.
Totally agree with the advice to get cuttings/seeds and starting new trees. Wouldn't hurt even if the new neighbors don't do anything to the tree.
Apples do not grow true to seed, and cuttings don't work so well. What they could do is graft some stems from the one tree to others (accomplishing the same idea), but in any case, they are NTA :)
Load More Replies...Hmmm....my neighbor's house casts a shadow on my patio pretty much all afternoon and evening. I wonder if I can make them take it down? Seriously, they want you to remove a tree because it leaves a shadow?!
Yeah, what they gonna do next, complain to the weather people to change the weather forecast because there's some clouds casting a shadow over their entire property? Like bruh.
Load More Replies...The words "just a tree" sound so wrong to me. In Judaism, cutting down a fruit tree is forbidden. A fruit tree is a living thing that keeps giving. Even one without sentimental value shouldn't be cut down for no good reason. This one is an old friend. (Also, is a shadow really such a barrier to the construction of a hot tub? I'm not an expert, but that doesn't sound right.)
How many people actually use a hot tub during daylight hours?
Load More Replies...Apple trees, even fully grown, aren't that tall. Here in Norway the "neighbour law" states that a tree must be placed at least 1/3 of the trees height away from the property border, so a 12 meter tall tree must be 4 meters from the border, a 9 meter tree 3 meters away, etc. Apple trees are normally 3-4 meters tall so 1 to 1.2 meters from the border 😉 Not overhanging is the most important things for so small trees.
Around here, outside of an orchard that trims them down, 10 meters is the norm with some growing higher. Had one in my childhood backyard that hit 15 meters and sprawled everywhere. And we're at a sun angle that if placed on the south of a property could easily eclipse shade for a decent sized neighboring area. But I'm with OP in that if the neighbors don't like where the shade hits, they can put their stuff in a different place.
Load More Replies...It's just a hot tub, what's the big deal? It's just the sun, what's the big deal? I'd be just as dismissive of the things that matter to them. And trees *are* a big deal, it's why there's such strict laws surrounding them and why the fines are HUGE when people illegally cut someone else's trees. That tree is a much bigger deal, legally speaking, than their hot tub.
I don’t understand how someone can move into the neighborhood, then proceed to tell everyone around them what to do like they own everything! Obviously these new neighbors are way out of line in their demands that you cut down your mature tree. It is good that you have cameras monitoring already. Make sure that you absolutely do not give in to their demands because if you do I am sure that they will have many more demands. Tell them that if they wanted a yard with no shade that they should have bought one with no shade. It is not your problem if they don’t like the shade from the apple tree. Oh, and those little sprouts that you get when you have an apple tree, you may want to let some of them mature rather than removing them. A couple of apple trees would help to screen the view of your yard from those nasty neighbors and costs less than a new privacy fence!
I live in a rural area. There are many livestock farms here. Sometimes, people will move next door to a livestock farm, then complain of the smell. The farm was there when they moved in, and they knew it. Same with your neighbors. The tree was there before they moved in. They knew it. The tree is not hanging over their property or causing a safety hazard. They are potentially inconvenienced at worst, but they made the decisions to move there, to place a garden there, and decided that is where they wanted a hot tub. Too bad for them.
I would be tickled pink if my neighbor was generous enough to share their tree’s apples with me! If a neighbor’s fruit tree ever hung over my property line, I would consider and fruit that fell in my yard as a bonus. Besides, it’s a tree with history, and I love knowing about stuff like that. F**k their hot tub. My support will always be for nature. Do not touch my tree, and put your f*****g hot tub somewhere else—-it would be too close to MY property line anyway. What if it leaked and all that chlorinated water seeped into the ground? That would kill my tree. So f**k you and your hot tub.
What everyone said about this tree being important and beautiful and meaningful is absolutely true, but even if it wasn't, it's on his property! It could be a 40 foot rusty silo painted safety yellow, and they still wouldn't have the right to demand that's it's removed. His neighbors display a special level of entitlement.
This .. you don't get to tell me beyond common law what is allowed on my property(obviously already established laws count heh).
Load More Replies...Apart from anything else, that tree was there when they bought the house (since they're new neighbours), so it was really up to them to decide whether they could live with it or not before buying the house and if they couldn't, not buy it.
If the tree doesn't have any branches that cross over the property line and isn't in danger of falling onto the neighbor's house or property, the neighbors have no case. If the neighbor gets really upset and harms the tree in any way, THEY can be sued for destruction of private property etc... If the info about the situation provided here is correct, the neighbors have no case. If they're disturbed that much by the tree, perhaps they never should have bought the house to begin with.
I would say to them do you know how much noise a hot tub makes day and night. maybe a lawyer is a good idea. that will shut them up , as they do make a noise.
I would put up a VERY tall fence between the properties. They think the tree casts shade? lol
I was thinking the same thing, put up the tallest legal fence as close as legal to the property line, and make sure its shadow is complete - no spaces between slats. Bonus if it completely covers the tree's shadow.
Load More Replies...NTA, not ever. Let them spend a fortune on a lawyer making fools of themselves. They have no legal grounds. Even if the tree's branches encroached on their yard, their only legal option and right would be to trim the branches back to exactly the property line and not one millimeter more. Lack of shade is not your problem. They knew what they were buying and were just entitled, pompous, and arrogant enough to think they could impose their demands on you. THEY LOSE...
Sentiment or not nobody has the right to tell you what to do on YOUR OWN PROPERTY...and if they do something sneaky prosecute and make them pay out the nose. Since they have already been so nasty I would probably have them trespassed (official notice on file with the local jurisdiction that they are not allow to set foot on the property) so that if you do catch them on camera on your property doing something to the tree the police can handle them properly.
so NTA. and, let them get an attorney. they will lose as if the tree is not overhanging in any way into their yard but is only blocking light. and, as far as installing cameras regarding people helping themselves, good! my son's walk to & from school had him walk by an older man's house who was known to yell at kids because of them stealing his fruit. my son comes home one day w/his backpack full of fruit. asked if he had stolen it from him & he said no. the man had been watering his garden & he asked for an orange. the man gave him oranges, lemons, peaches, etc. when my son tried to refuse the extra the man told him no, he was thankful that he had the manners to ask. from that day my son told me the man would often be out afterschool with fruit for him.
It is not 'just' a tree. It's a Tree. For me people who cut down or damage healthy trees are in te same category as murderers. Trees are beautiful. Sitting under a mature tree and see the sunlight filter through the branches and leaves is such a fantastically beautiful sight. If the neighbours don't like the tree they should move to an appartment block, no tree in sight on the third floor.. Criminal idiots.
They have 2 choices; either to choose other side to place their hot tub or move to different house! Easy~
Even if it wasn't sentimental, it's your tree. these new neighbors are rude, mean, and crazy. I'm annoyed that I have to clean my neighbor's leaves for months, ( they don't and they blow my way), but I would never want a tree cut down! They only want their tub in the one spot of shade? Sounds like they just want to fight and hurt others.
NTA. I am so tired of people complaining about some property issue that existed BEFORE they moved in. I know of number of cases (used to work for a county government), whereby people move into (or build) next to a farm, local dump, airport ... whatever. And, they complain about the smell, noise, or whatever. Yo, people, think before you buy! Do not expect any issues you have after you buy! What idiots!
We bought a house with three trees that are 100-200 years old. They do overhang neighbors' properties and we looked into property laws soon after we moved in. In Tennessee, US at least (laws differ by state) we don't have to remove any overhang, and neighbors can only remove overhanging limbs themselves at their own cost. Even if limbs fall on their property and cause damage, we are only liable if they had already requested we trim it and we were just neglectful. Our trees are so tall it will be very costly to have a service trim them, so we've been putting off get getting it done. Our neighbors are super friendly though and have offered to share the cost of taking care of some sketchy looking branches.
Sentimental value or not, it’s their property. They cannot be forced to remove a part of their legal property regardless. Man- if somebody threatened like that they might just get a tree shoved up where the sun REALLY don’t shine
NTA, and the neighbors don't have a legal leg to stand on. Trees are classified as property, so if they damage it, they can be held liable. They have no say on what you do with your property. (Also, I suggest you buy 3-4 other apple trees at the end of the growing season. They'll probably cost about $35 each. Then take cuttings from your grandparents' tree and graft them onto the trees you've bought. This is the best way to propagate apple trees and ensure that they fruit. This site provides instructions for propagating apple trees: https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/chiwonlee/plsc368/student/papers02/maasheim/appleprop.htm)
I would also suggest, if she hasn't already done so, to get motion sensor lights for the back garden. They bought the house knowing the tree was there. Not your fault they're entitled idiots. NTA..give them the apples and tell them where they can stick them. Next time they say it's just a tree...ask them where their grandparents/parents are buried. You'd like to dig them up to make way for kids playground. After all..it's only a box of bones......
Even without sentimental value, trees are valuable in and of themselves. Infinitely more than a hot tub. F*ck these people.
The OP in this article isn't the AH the neighbors are. This apple tree in question, according to the post, is completely on his property and doesn't overhang onto the neighbors property. The neighbors are obviously entitled type people. If I was the OP, I would welcome these loons taking me to court. They don't have any grounds for a lawsuit.
Hmm... in Germany (and probably everywhere else) there are laws on what is to be done in case of one's property (the tree) disturbing another one's (shadow on neighbours garden). Especially old trees exceeding a certain circumfence are protected even against their owner here :-). The only chance to remove or to force your neighbour to remove a tree would be damage to the house. (tree smacking facade, roots damaging cellar etc.). "Shade on my sunny place" does not count...
Also: The next thing would probably be a sun shade over their hot tub...dont't ya use hot tubs in the evening or in the cooler time anyway?
Load More Replies...Many years ago, my husband and I moved into our first house, and loved that it had a willow tree in the backyard. After a four years of the neighbours complaining it shaded their garden too much, we said we would allow them to cut it down if they removed the stump and all the branches. To be honest, we were tired of the bug the willow tree attracted. In the autumn of the year the tree was cut down, we sold out house and moved to another town. The next summer, I was speaking to a friend that lived close by to our old house. Turned out, the willow tree was essential in keeping the back yards dry, as willows need a lot of water. The neighbours basement flooded and the back foundation wall collapsed after a very wet spring as the willow wasn’t there to sop up the water. My ‘response was a shrug and “Too bad, so sad”.
Tell them their car blocks your view down the street and ask them not to park it on the driveway, see how they respond to that.
I've got stuff that is a lot less useful, but still do clinge to it and enjoy to do so. Some of it far beyond any chance to ever use it again, but ... but as it is as it is, as long as I live, it bears value to me. The tree is only a tree for some random stranger, a treasure for people who enjoy actually tasteful fruit (the old breeds, you know...), and a special treasure to you because memories and stuff. Never cut it down. Neighbours are replacable. The tree isn't. Make'em move out. Make'em hell. Protect the tree, with an iron cage if need be, or with the foreign legion even.
These are the same people who buy houses by an airport and try to shut it down because of the noise! Buy a house where nextdoor neighbors have a tree, plan to build spa under the assumption that they can bully the neighbors into cutting tree down, threaten legal action. Now they've started a war. Somehow I think living next to these Karens are going to be impossible
NTA and no legal basis unless they can prove the tree is a threat which I assume it isn't. Good luck convincing the judge to proceed with trial.
It is not "just a tree"! It is a living thing and your heirloom - basically, part of your family! The neighbors can go ... well... entertain themselves. If it were me, I'd be scared as s**t, though, that they'd cut the tree while I;m not there. I mean I would sue them and win, but the tree would still be gone - and who knows if they are willing to pay the price of the lawsuit... I'd probably not only get new saplings from that tree, but also get it its own fence, maybe even with barbed wire, so it is not possible to just sneak in and cut it.
I know there was a case in California where some large tree - redwoods(?) had been planted when the homeowners first bought the home. Over the decades, the trees grew large and shaded a neighbor's home. Neighbors took them to court and won, and they were forced to cut down the trees. It's not always cut and dried. The apple tree is probably safe, especially being shorter and totally within the property line, but.... I hope the OP gets both an arborist and an attorney, and sends the neighbors a warning.
I would not only value the tree, but also value the shade it casts. Sitting in the broiling sun is not fun. I value my mature trees and every year tell the electric company they can NOT cut down the trees I have along the lines. They ask every year and I keep saying " no, trim it." Meanwhile I would be very tempted to start fertilizing my garden in that corner of my back yard with something very smelly....it's on your lawn, not the neighbors. I've also read of a neighborly dispute which resulted in blackberries being planted one side of the property line...they are impossible to keep out on the neighbors side...in the meanwhile the pies and jam are fantastic.
No tree is "just" a tree. They literally ensure we can fückin breath, provide shade, food, shelter, and the basis for the majority of our evolution. Scientists were able to also discover that trees actually communicate to each other via their root system(some cool video on YouTube about it). Trees are living , breathing things, they have so much to offer, and this one roots you to your family. It's not "just a tree", it's your family heirloom and guardian. Absolutely NTA
Wow, the entitlement of some people!! The only thing id be "demanding" from said neighbor is that she share some apples with me in the fall! Lol. "Just a tree?" Have they no heart?
Ok, I did a bit of research. People have been sued/taken to court for a tree in a neighbor's view. (Getting a lawyer's advice may be a good idea). There are actual lawyers whose forte is tree law! There are also almost as many cases as there are trees!! The second piece of info I found has to do with a consulting arborist who know the laws also. His name is Lee Block and he wrote a book that may help you. The title is 'Tree Law Cases in the USA'. Your issue is NOT unusual and YES you need to do some work so that you can lawfully protect your tree and your rights to own/leave it where it is!! Good luck! I do not envy you. These neighbors are going to be hell!
How dare they... Yes, get some cuttings, because you don't know what some people are capable of. I would love to have a family hairlum as alive and beautiful as this. I rent a small apartment. You live IN part of your history and EAT fruit from a live part of your history. If I could, I would travel all the way to wherever you are, knock on your door and respectfully ask to be honoured by eating an apple from a true family tree. DO NOT relent. Maybe week legal advice, to get these aweful neighbors off your back?
Well they could compromise and prune a bit the tree (sometimes it is healthy to the tree, if done right). Or suggest the neighbour build it in another place (since the tree WAS there when they moved there. But am I the only one that got a bit mad at the comments saying "PLANT MORE TREES AND NEAR THE PROPERTY LINE JUST TO SCREW WITH THEM"? I mean, people aren't used to live in society anymore, that we must seek every single opportunity to being an AH? Defuse the situation, don't build more bombs.
I can see so many violations and things you can hold them accountable for and can use against them in court. (Depending on where this is in the world and what laws governs there.) But if this be in the USA and it's laws. You could use their statements such as admitting to commit a crime by trespassing onto your property without your permission/consent, activity destroying of property and so many other things they can be charged for and could even face jail time. I'm not even joking when it comes to that. A tree that provides fruit can be held higher/more valuable sometimes than a ordinary tree that may only be 20-50 year old tree. You cut a tree down and can only use it's wood/lumber once. But a fruit tree, (aka, the apple tree) can continue to be used multiple times to produce fruit/food for people, such as the home owner. As to a farmer, loss one tree and it can dig into a farmer's profits. I can see if OP was to go to court for their apple tree, he would win the court case.
Well I see only one remedy for this problem. I suggest you go and buy another half grown tree and plant it where it will really irritate them. 🤣🤣👍👍🍏🍏🍎🍎
Wow what a petty bunch they are. You are NTA. Tell them to go pound sand. It's illegal to damage or alter property that's not yours. The fact that this tree produces FOOD (apples are very healthy to consume), they also convert carbon dioxide to oxygen which we breathe, they protect soil from erosion, they provide shade and shelter to birds and other wildlife. Keep up surveillance on tree. I recommend both suing and pressing charges if the neighbors attempt any action against the tree.
100% NTA. As a former hot tub owner, complete with dedicated gazebo, I would've *killed* to have neighbors providing free shade. They'd have NO IDEA how good they had it until they get sunburns over their entire bodies.
Offer your neighbour a bag of apples and suggest he eat them backwards. What a d**k.
If the neighbor continued to be a PITA, I would put up a tall privacy fence around my yard. It will efficiently keep them out - and block more sun from their lawn.
NTA. Your attachment to it aside, the history of the tree aside, it is your tree in your yard, it is not dangerous, it's not dying, You should leave it. If the neighbor doesn't like it, that's their problem not yours.. Do not cut down a perfectly healthy tree so Karen can get a little more sunshine on his hot tub. Hot tubs are for nighttime anyway. You hang out at the pool for sun and you have cocktails after the sun goes down in the hot tub.
Keep your tree, plant some seeds. All those talking about "cease & desist" letters don't make sense. Cease & desist from what? All the neighbor did was ask him to cut down his tree. He said no. There is nothing to "cease & desist." If they were to start trimming limbs, call the police. That's destruction of private property and trespass if they go onto his property to do it. We had a neighbor who told my wife she had to cut down some trees on our side of the property because she was afraid *if* they fell, they *could* land against her house. These trees are over 100 years old and at least 80 feet tall. There's an old 3-story carriage house at the end of our driveway which would be more in line with any of the trees falling. We're not worried about the carriage house. My wife told her to go pound salt. The trees were staying. Nothing has been said about the trees ever since. We lived here for 45 years and she bought into that property a couple of years ago - a 4-unit apartment house.
They bought the house as it is. The tree was there when they bought it.
Have an arborist check out your tree. Get his advice on how to best care for the tree, how to make cuts/grafts to propagate trees from this one and how much it would cost to replace the original tree. Then talk to a lawyer about what is going on and what the tree means to your family. Let the neighbors know what value of the tree is and how much it would cost to replace it should something odd happen to it. Let them know that there are camera on the tree. Try to be as polite as possible but let them know the tree is not up for debate. Knowing what it would t cost them might get them to back off. Money is often a better motivator than good will, which is a sad thing to say.
I have a neighbor (we live in a rural area) that harassed me about my roosters crowing at all hours and insisted that I get rid of them. When I ignored him, he came back and offered to pay for me to “get a rooster that didn’t crow as much”. LOL. Where I live, you are allowed to have as many chickens as you want as long as you have at least 3 acres. I was VERY tempted to get more roosters….
Wait.. this guy set up cameras to catch kids taking apples? Is he planning on going to the police? I guess he is an a*****e.
Wow what a petty bunch they are NTA. Tell them to go pound sand. It's illegal to damage or alter property that's not yours. The fact that this tree produces FOOD (apples are very healthy to consume), they also convert carbon dioxide to oxygen which we breathe, they protect soil from erosion, they provide shade and shelter to birds and other wildlife. Keep up surveillance on tree. I recommend both suing and pressing charges if the neighbors attempt any action against the tree.
The thing to do if your neighbor continues to be a PITA and you can afford it - put up a tall privacy fence. That will essentially kill the sun on their property at certain times of the day. It would also keep them off your property.
How is this even a question? This seems more like someone just wanting validation. Like "My house casts a shadow on the neighbors yard and so they want me to tear it down so they don't have shade on their hot tub. AITA?"
I think that means three times the actual monetary costs of damage done.
Load More Replies...Instead offer to get him a vasectomy and not to breed and to produce any more self rightious a-holes like him
File a motion and take an early lunch. It's what they do.
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