I have a problem with my neighbors bushes hanging past my property line. This wouldn't be such a big deal except the bushes a very thorny and a huge pain to mow under. If I asked my neighbors to trim them and they don't, is it legal for me to trim them? And how long should I wait for them to do it? They only come to this house on the weekends and spend most of the time working in their yard. I don't think it is too much to ask to get it done the same weekend that I ask them to do it? Help me with this problem, thank you.

Hello,

Well you may have already fixed this little problem, due to the time frame. If the branches are hanging on your side of the fence, you have the right to cut them back. Just in case your neighbor gets a little pissed at you, cover yourself, 1. Document the times you have asked them to cut the tree back, 2. Head down to your nursery and tell them what type of tree you are dealing with, this way they can tell you the proper time to cut and how to trim this tree without killing it (also document this) this way if your neighbor tries to take you to court, you have your bases covered and you walk out the victor with no branches on your side. PS offer to help them trim the tree as well... Hope this helps

I have the same problem and called my city's Code Enforcement Office. They basically told me the same thing that Sierra1 said. Anything over the property line is fair game.

Of course it is nice to ask your neighbors first to trim back their bushes. It is possible they do not know it is an inconvienience to you.

You could also try telling them you got cut up on them while mowing your lawn and they might be concerned enough about being sued that they would trim them right away.

I ended up climbing in to my neighbors tree and hacked away almost half the tree.

Good Luck!

David

Or you could be evil and just plant some psycoticly spreading plant like bamboo or something and let them try and keep it under control being there once a week. Ok so that not the best of ideas but I like the idea of getting pruning instructions. Then you are clearing your yard (which you have every right to) and giving the plant proper pruning which most plants I believe need.