Homeowner refuses to let the previous owner collect plums from a backyard tree after she brought a ladder and harvested nearly the entire crop: 'I want to make something with it myself'

Cata Holmes • Writer

Jul 15, 2026 5:15 PM EDT

How long should a former owner be allowed to stay connected to a property?

After purchasing her new home, a homeowner was excited to take advantage of the lush plum tree in her backyard. The first year they lived there, the previous owner asked if they could have some of the fruit since they've been making jam for the past 20 years. That time, she let them collect what seemed to be just a few plums, although they ended up harvesting the whole tree. The following year, when they asked again, she refused, causing the family to get very mad and upset.

When I read this story, a super familiar feeling came to me since this situation happened to my parents ten years ago. When they bought the house they live in now, there was a very old and very sick tangerine tree at the back of the garden. The previous owner was not a fan of plants, nor that fruit, so he didn't care too much about it. My mom loves plants, so for the first two years of living in that house, she took care of the tree until it was ready to give some fruit.

One day, my parents were at the grocery store and came across the old homeowner, and they told him they were happy to see the first tangerines of the season coming out. He was skeptical at first, but ended up congratulating my parents and left the store. The next day, he showed up at their house and asked if he could have some of the fruit to gift his family members and friends. My parents refused, not only because they didn't want a stranger in their home, but because there were only a few pieces of fruit and they wanted to keep it. Also, he doesn't like tangerines, so it's not like he was going to eat it.

Anyways, of course he got very mad and claimed that he was the original owner of the tree, so the fruit belonged to him. Needless to say, my dad kicked him out, and we never saw him again.

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Former homeowner harvests fruit from a backyard tree tied to a long-standing family tradition.
*Person depicted is a model and not connected to actual events.*

I bought my house last summer and theres a big plum tree in the backyard. A few weeks after moving in, the previous owner messaged me saying her late mother planted it and asked if she could collect some plums when they were ready. I said sure because I understood the sentimental part.

When she came over she brought her husband, two buckets and a ladder. They picked nearly every ripe plum, including branches hanging over my patio, and left a bunch of broken twigs and fruit on the ground. I barely got any myself. Apparently her family has used those plums to make jam every year for almost 20 years.

She contacted me again asking what weekend she can come this year. I told her I planned on keeping the fruit this time since the tree is on my property and I actually want to make something with it.

She got pretty upset and said I knew the tree had meaning to her family. She even offered me a few jars of jam, but that isnt really the point. I spent a lot of money fixing up this yard and I dont want people treating part of it like it still belongs to them.

My sister thinks I should let her take one bucket because its a family tradition and costs me nothing. I feel bad about the connection to her mom, but I also dont think buying a house means the old owners get yearly access to whatever they miss.

A mature backyard fruit tree becomes the center of a property ownership and family tradition dispute.
*Image used for illustrative purposes only.*

Aromatic_Recipe 1749 If you hear from her again, tell her that truth. You were shocked that they came and greedily picked virtually ALL the fruit last year. To top it off they left a mess behind for you to clean up. Perhaps if they had shown a little class and consideration you'd be more generous but they blew it.

Big_Year_526 Put it in writing, be polite but firm. "Dear x, I want to clarify that I have not agreed to you having access to my property every year. Last year I was not happy with the fact that you took almost every piece of fruit, not the state you left my property in after picking. In order to avoid further confusion, I do not give you permission to come on my property or harvest plums this year."

Similar_Corner8081 NTJ My goodness if she had just picked a few off the tree it would have been better. She picked them all. Your tree your fruit.

AnlcyReception NTJ If that tree was so important, she shouldn't have sold it

MargotFenring You are going to come home to find your fruit gone. Time to set up a camera.

Med9876 NTJ You own the house, property and tree. The previous owners have no right to the fruit and abused your previous graciousness.

jax2love She lost her rights to the fruit tree when she sold the house. It's your tree now. NTJ.

biggest-d n-potato It really hurt, leaving my little fruit orchard and asparagus bed when I sold my first house to some real fuckwits who cut the trees and tilled up the asparagus for more lawn. You know what I did about it? Nothing, because it was no longer my house.

Mytweezer NTJ -- they abused your generosity by picking them all and are acting entitled. They should've kept the house if it meant that much to them or they can plant a new fn tree at their new place.

unrepentantlibboomer NTJ. While I understand their attachment to the tree, they sold the property and the tree is no longer theirs. It was kind of you to allow them to pick the plums one last time after the house sold. They need to move on now.

Homemade fruit preserves and family recipes often keep backyard harvest traditions alive for generations.
*Image shown for illustrative purposes; person depicted is a model.*

champy8j NTJ. Shouldn't have put the house up on the market if you still wanted some stuff that was there.

jonnywannamingo That's YOUR tree now. Some people are ridiculous.

No-Needleworker 1401 No, she can plant a new tree in her yard.

Possible_Patience_84 Absolutely NTJ. I can't believe the nerve. It is now your tree. She ruined the arrangement by being greedy.

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Homeowner refuses to let the previous owner collect plums from a backyard tree after she brought a ladder and harvested nearly the entire crop: 'I want to make something with it myself'

How long should a former owner be allowed to stay connected to a property?

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