crazy neighbors...do any of you have these problems

my new neighbor has asked us to sign a permission letter to let him cut branches off several of our large trees. we have lived here for 20 years and have continually improved our property. the neighbor said he doesn't like picking branches up after there have been high winds. after these winds it might take me a minute or two to pick up what has actually fallen. however, we have statues and fencing and our wood burning oven just to mention a few things that could potentially be destroyed if these limbs came down the wrong way. not to mention the privacy issue. though we have 2 acres the land is behind us. we are in very close proximity on the sides. we have planted our yard to give us as much privacy as possible. by removing these branches the neighbor would then be able to stand on his porch and look directly into our property. we have explained all of this as nicely as possible. however he seems determined to go forward. yesterday i noticed that he hammered nails all along our fence so he could hang party lights. this knocked down 6 slats on my fence and loosened quit a few more. he never asked permission to do any of this. whenever he has any work done he hires the cheapest help he can find so i am sure whomever he has hired to do the trimming is uninsured. good grief...urban living can be a real pain. if anyone has had these experiences i would love to hear your advice.

Comments

Lucie Le Blanc said…
Don't I know that !! We've lived in the countryside now for 2 years. But when we werw living in the city, we had a neighbour like that : he made our life a misery !

He didn't ask any permission though : a morning we were raised by the sound of our tree being cut down !! He said he had the right because it was overhanging his yard ! But the city didn't see it that way and he was fined. Someday we had enough and put a 6 feet fence between our yards !

Since we live in the countryside, no more problems, the neighbours are so sweet and private !
jaz@octoberfarm said…
it makes me want to move out of the city. however, i had a painter a few years ago that lived in the country on 45 acres. she had a neighbor that was a constant headache. so i guess it can happen anywhere but it is more likely to happen in the city!
Lucie Le Blanc said…
Yes and in the country they are generally farther away, not on your doorstep ! hihi
sagesmoon said…
Hi, I don't know about where you live, but my husband is a tree man... Here, the neighbor can cut what hangs over his fence, and only cut To the fence, BUT, he/ins. WILL have to cover ANY and ALL damage. I read your post to him, and even he said the man is bein' a NOSEY @#$. .....I don't blame you, I wouldn't want them cut either.
jaz@octoberfarm said…
hi beth....thanks for the response. i am sure your husband runs in to these situations all the time. the only reason the neighbor asked for our consent was because the tree trimer insisted on a letter of consent from us. at least that guy is smart enough to try to protect himself!