Guest missingsomething Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 So I need ya'lls help. I have the "white picket fence" - but now its all chipped and antique looking. This spring I'm gonna repaint it. Ive been scrapping off the old stuff....and I asked my husband if I should do the other side of the fence (on my neighbor's side/their yard). Background - while we are "civil" we do not really get along. They have 2 huge, 90% ded pine trees that are dangerous to our home but also have destroyed our yard, gutters, etc with dead limbs and pine needles. We offered to pay 1/2 to cut them down as they are also an eye soar. They refused claiming (you'll love this) they "break the wind and keep heating cost down". They have also destroyed my garden on several occasions with fireworks, kids running through it...balls... etc. And the boys frequentlyl jumped the fence - to the point now it is wobbly where they used to jump (I finally had to get mean about that). Ever since then my husband does not want to do anything for them.... we shovel our other neighbors walk, bake them treats, etc. (I do sneak them treats a few times a year and I did shovel their walk one time last winter - but also know- they never say thank you). I think we need to paint that side - its our fence. He says NO...its on their side- if they want to paint it they can. Im not looking for some deep spiritual thought here - just ... what do you think???? Thanks--- need input! Quote
Palerider Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 Not sure about the laws where you live....here in Missouri you can trim the part of the tree that hangs in your side....especially if its dangerous... Quote
beefche Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 I say offer to paint it without asking for anything in return. Offering real service means we don't do it for any recompense, including a thank you. At the very least, you can say you did your best to mend fences (pun intended) with your neighbors. Quote
Palerider Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 I say offer to paint it without asking for anything in return. Offering real service means we don't do it for any recompense, including a thank you. At the very least, you can say you did your best to mend fences (pun intended) with your neighbors. we were encouraged today to offer service....:) Quote
Guest missingsomething Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 I say offer to paint it without asking for anything in return. Offering real service means we don't do it for any recompense, including a thank you. At the very least, you can say you did your best to mend fences (pun intended) with your neighbors.ha ha.. I do do service to them... the side note about thank yous were for the people I knew would ask lol....But... hmmmmm Quote
Guest missingsomething Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 Not sure about the laws where you live....here in Missouri you can trim the part of the tree that hangs in your side....especially if its dangerous...hehehe Yes we can cut the parts over our vertical land lines. Problem: we had a tree guy say that we will greatly weaken the already 80% dead (yeah, I exaggerated 90% earlier) tree. So they recommended we cut the tree down - thats how this all came to pass.Magistrate also told us we could get money back from them for the damage to gutters, porch, and landscaping because their tree is not cared for... but I told my husband I didnt want to do that - nothing like ticked off neighbors.So still no answer though -----whats the PC thing to do? paint? or eh- you dont have to paint. Quote
john doe Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 Personally? I would paint my side of the fence and ask the neighbors for their insurance information so that when their tree falls on your property you will be able to tell your insurance company who to talk to. Get the tree guy to write up a statement about the condition of the tree and the dangers of only cutting off the portion that hangs over your yard and send a copy via registered mail to the neighbor. If you feel like sharing the costs of cutting it down, offer to do so again. After that, if it damages your home, they can't say they didn't know about it, and that you didn't try to do anything about the problem. If you are afraid for your safety, there should be authorities in your jurisdiction that would be able to get the tree removed, even if they have it done and bill the homeowner. Quote
FunkyTown Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 I would cut down the limbs that endanger your lawn, gutters and property. This will weaken the tree, which will cause them to cut it down. If they do not, thankfully the wind is broken by the house which means most pressure will be blowing it their way. Honestly, if you do nothing but come on here and talk about how much damage this family has caused without doing anything, it's basically just a 'blowing off steam' post, which is fine, but not really what the point of the post seemed to be. Quote
Gwen Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 is the tree close enough to the street to be a danger to the city's interest? you could report it and the city would require it be cut, or even cut it for you footing the bill. we had a tree that was dying and was right on the property line for our neighbors, making it a danger to both our homes. we agreed to split the cost of removal but the neighbor was knowledgeable enough to go to the city and point out that if this tree came down it would take out a power pole and block the street for days. the city promptly removed it. Quote
bytor2112 Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 I would paint the fence. Maybe they will feel inspired to be better neighbors, at the very least it will improve the appearance to other neighbors. Quote
GingerGolden Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 I would paint the fence. Maybe they will feel inspired to be better neighbors, at the very least it will improve the appearance to other neighbors.I agree, if it's my fence and I wanted it painted, I'd paint it.However, if you think it would only cause you more problems, leave it as it is.I also agree with having the local government check out the tree.Cutting down a mostly dead tree will not cost as much as having to replace pieces and parts of your home if the tree falls as well as any danger to life and limb of your family. Quote
Guest missingsomething Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 Personally? I would paint my side of the fence and ask the neighbors for their insurance information so that when their tree falls on your property you will be able to tell your insurance company who to talk to. Get the tree guy to write up a statement about the condition of the tree and the dangers of only cutting off the portion that hangs over your yard and send a copy via registered mail to the neighbor. If you feel like sharing the costs of cutting it down, offer to do so again. After that, if it damages your home, they can't say they didn't know about it, and that you didn't try to do anything about the problem. If you are afraid for your safety, there should be authorities in your jurisdiction that would be able to get the tree removed, even if they have it done and bill the homeowner.Im an insurace agent - so I have fully documented the condition of their trees and notified them so they would know any damages would go against their policy.Secondly - I did take this to the magistrate - he said it is not completely dead and therefore he would not rule for us... so he suggested just giving them the bills for the damages to our property (porch/gutters/etc) until they get sick of it and cut it down. We upped our offer to them to pay 75% but they still said no. Quote
Guest missingsomething Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 (edited) I would cut down the limbs that endanger your lawn, gutters and property. This will weaken the tree, which will cause them to cut it down. If they do not, thankfully the wind is broken by the house which means most pressure will be blowing it their way.Honestly, if you do nothing but come on here and talk about how much damage this family has caused without doing anything, it's basically just a 'blowing off steam' post, which is fine, but not really what the point of the post seemed to be. Actually everyone keep accentuating this point... and I respond out of respect for their time... And no offense taken - or given...but many people on here "vent" ... But I have done things (gone to magistrate/code officer/neighbors/called tree guy..etc)... This was not the object of my question :)Im STILL waiting for a response on the FENCE--- do I paint it? Is it expected that I paint it? Or since its their side... do they paint it. Edited April 6, 2009 by missingsomething Quote
Guest missingsomething Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 I would paint the fence. Maybe they will feel inspired to be better neighbors, at the very least it will improve the appearance to other neighbors.Thanks bytor... this is why I love ya! Thanks for answering the question. Quote
Guest Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 Actually everyone keep accentuating this point... and I respond out of respect for their time... And no offense taken - or given...but many people on here "vent" ... But I have done things (gone to magistrate/code officer/neighbors/called tree guy..etc)... This was not the object of my question :)Im STILL waiting for a response on the FENCE--- do I paint it? Is it expected that I paint it? Or since its their side... do they paint it.It is your fence, so you can paint it if you want. But, my fence is not painted on the other side in deference to my neighbors. The neighbors prefer it that way. They like the "natural" look of the unpainted wood and it matches their landscape. They have to look at the fence whereas I don't see that side. We used pre-treated wood that doesn't require painting. I painted my side brick red to match my house.A good relationship with the neighbors is really important. I know it is one of life's greatest challenges - second only to the mother-in-law. This is a relationship that requires a lot of Christ-like love for us to survive it. I've had my share of problem neighbors and I've had a neighbor mad at me for my crazy dog who seems to find every single opportunity to run away into their yard. We try our best to be good neighbors and then we accept them as they are. We can't all be perfect. Quote
Gwen Posted April 6, 2009 Report Posted April 6, 2009 paint their side of the fence highlighter yellow or some other equally annoying color. it is your fence you can paint it however you want. if they try to repaint it then put up a fuss, it's your property you can do what you want with it. then you can agree to paint it white after they take down the tree..... maybe? lol Quote
Palerider Posted April 7, 2009 Report Posted April 7, 2009 wax on! Wax off! Daniel son....always look eyes..... Quote
Guest Alana Posted April 7, 2009 Report Posted April 7, 2009 Paint the fence. Reasons not to: You don't really like your neighbors. Reason to paint: The fence will look better for everyone and you'll feel good. Something that is worth doing is worth doing right, right? Quote
Just_A_Guy Posted April 7, 2009 Report Posted April 7, 2009 Paint the fence.Then, the next night, sneak across the property line and cut down the trees.(No. Not really.) Quote
Madriglace Posted April 7, 2009 Report Posted April 7, 2009 Follow the counsel of the prophet ... clean up/fix up ... it's your fence .... paint that puppy! Then take them some brownies. Quote
Guest missingsomething Posted April 8, 2009 Report Posted April 8, 2009 paint their side of the fence highlighter yellow or some other equally annoying color. it is your fence you can paint it however you want. if they try to repaint it then put up a fuss, it's your property you can do what you want with it. then you can agree to paint it white after they take down the tree..... maybe? lolha ha.. I told this to my husband who promptly thought you are a genius! He wants some orange color. Quote
Guest missingsomething Posted April 8, 2009 Report Posted April 8, 2009 Follow the counsel of the prophet ... clean up/fix up ... it's your fence .... paint that puppy! Then take them some brownies.Ok lets not go overboard! Um, unless you know how badly I make brownies.... Quote
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