Neighbor damages homeowner's tree, pruning it without permission, pushing peace-seeking residents to seek revenge: ‘That was trespassing and so wildly inappropriate’

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Feb 8, 2025 8:00 PM EST

The dream of escaping to a remote location, surrounded by nature and free from the chaos of urban life, is a common fantasy. It's driven by a desire for self-sufficiency and, perhaps, the hope of avoiding neighbors who think they're the local gardening police.

In reality, even idyllic settings can't protect us from overzealous neighbors. Take the recent tale of a neighbor who hacked away at someone's fig tree without permission. It's as if they developed a superhero-like ability, complete with X-ray vision for exact measurements. They could pinpoint the exact branch and fruit that dared to cross the sidewalk boundary. With their newfound powers, they swooped in, pruning shears at the ready, to save the world from slightly overgrown foliage. The justification? A city ordinance, naturally, the ultimate superpower that gives them the right to patrol the neighborhood's greenery.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • "My neighbor hacked up my fig tree without asking… advice pls?"

    Cheezburger Image 10464798976
    via JackF

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • My neighbor hacked up my fig tree without asking... advice pls?
    via Any_Significance2467
  • As the title mentions, today my neighbor hacked away at a fig tree in my front yard without my permission. When I asked her about it, she said there's a city ordinance saying plants can't
    via Any_Significance2467
  • obstruct the sidewalk. Sure, I get that, but it's not her job to go on someone else's property and start hacking away without asking.
    via Any_Significance2467
  • She recently moved into the house next door, which used to belong to her mother before she passed. For context, she's using the her late mother's handicap parking spot in front of her house, so she isn't even parking
    via Any_Significance2467
  • 11
    via JackF

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • down the road or regularly walking past the branches that partially obstruct the sidewalk. She has a perfectly fine parking spot in front of her home, so I'm not sure why this bothers her so much.
    via Any_Significance2467
  • I approached her in good faith today and asked if she had seen who cut the tree. She calmly admitted that she did it but was a little defensive. I tried to stay calm and let her know that I wish
    via Any_Significance2467
  • she had asked me first, especially since my landlords are now upset about it. She did not apologize but said she would give me her contact information to pass along to my landlords.
    via Any_Significance2467
  • I want to maintain good relations, but I'm also pretty frustrated. I feel violated in a way. That was trespassing and so wildly inappropriate. What's a good way
    via Any_Significance2467
  • to set a boundary here while making it clear she can't just do this again? Should I send a text, or is it better to follow up in person? Any advice or sample texts would be super helpful. Thanks in advance!
    via Any_Significance2467
  • TravelDaze Since you don't own the property, I would just pass the info along to the owner and let them deal with it. This takes you out of the confrontation.
    via TravelDaze
  • Any Significance2467 OP Yeah, I agree. When I spoke with her face-to-face, I used my landlords as a buffer and said they were angry. My landlords, who are actually my friends, agree the situation was messed up, but they aren't confrontational either.
    via Any_Significance2467
  • Cheezburger Image 10464799232
    via JackF

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • The real challenge is obviously not the tree itself, but figuring out how to politely tell your neighbor that their pruning skills are not needed, or appreciated. Perhaps a gentle yet firm conversation is in order, emphasizing the importance of respecting each other's space—and plants. After all, who doesn't love a good neighborly chat about not touching each other's stuff? It's time to remind them that their superhero cape is a bit too tight and that not every branch needs to be saved from itself.

  • I'm disappointed she didn't apologize, and I'm stuck on wanting to call her out because it is super messed up what she did. I probably just need to sit with it and let it go, but ugggggggggh wtffffff.
    via Any_Significance2467
  • TravelDaze I don't know that letting it go is the answer -if there is no pushback, she will just over step again at some point. Maybe your friends can send her a cease and desist type letter,
    via TravelDaze
  • referencing any local or state laws prohibiting the trimming of trees/plants on someone else's property. Maybe they can file a report/complaint with local authorities as well, so that
    via TravelDaze
  • it's at least on record somewhere, in case she does something else in the future documentation from the get go could come in handy
    via TravelDaze
  • FragrantDragonfruit4 If you complain to the city and they can help, ask to be anonymous that they were making rounds. All they might do is replace the tree if their tree options though.
    via FragrantDragonfruit4
  • SalisburyWitch Call the police. Someone hacked up the fig tree, and neighbor is a handicap placard ab er. But just tell them your tree has been hacked up. When they come, tell them your neighbor admitted to doing it, and that her mother passed, but she still seems to use the handicap card. (You don't know - but it's possible that she had one Orr that the one she used with her mother I was really hers).
    via SalisburyWitch
  • SalisburyWitch Please urge your friends to at least get a lawyer and let the lawyer deal with the neighbors or she'll keep overstepping. Tell them that if the lawyer does it, it will prevent future problems, and they don't have to deal with her themselves.
    via SalisburyWitch
  • FragrantDragonfruit4 If you complain to the city and they can help, ask to be anonymous that they were making rounds. All they might do is replace the tree if their tree options though.
    via FragrantDragonfruit4
  • itsnotmyid4 The tree obviously means a lot to the OP. He should have her trespassed and hire a professional to trim the tree. He probably should have hired a professional to trim it a few years ago.
    via itsnotmyid4

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

neighbors neighborhood neighborhood-drama bad neighbors petty revenge terrible neighbors pay back noise noisy loud payback parking entitled people apartment
Scroll Down For The Next Article