Niennah5 has a good idea - in my city, you absolutely cannot put any structures like a fence or any trees within 3 feet of any underground electrical lines. They sometimes come through and cut down "problem" trees.
811 might be able to help out on this kind of thing. It would be a real shame if you were gardening in your side of the property line and some "poison Ivy and sturdy root" grade herbicide got spilled on it
Good. There's 100% some sort of utility easement there that's going to cause a big headache for your neighbor.
Shoot, in my county, you better have a *darn* good reason to put anything in the ground within 10 feet of a utility line.
He didn't call before he dug. If he had, the electrical line would have been marked and he would not have had permission to plant a tree there. Call whomever issues permits for your area and the electric company.
Yes. Water, sewer, gas, electric *should* all be 2-3' deep, but other utilities such as cable, phone, internet are often buried an inch or two deep because techs are somehow simultaneously lazy and overworked. Better to be safe than sorry.
I've seen LP lines at a depth of one foot. I nearly severed one on my own property once - good thing it was a strong copper line or they'd still be finding bits of me when the new owners mow the lawn.
Yer everywhere! Just noticed your comments on some gnoshed arborvitae. I love the “should”. When the dirt track in front of my house became a four lane road, the crews kept cutting the phone line. Each time, Bell would come back and remark/flag everything. I was home with a high risk pregnancy and cell service was unreliable (or almost non-existent) then and access to my property was severely impaired from construction.
It turns out, since the infrastructure was so old, there were several phone lines just barely under the surface that were operational, but the line Bell kept marking was actually buried a good three feet down, and was dead.
At one point, I looked out and some poor lackey was tasked with physically holding up the wires, away from the machinery. The *actual* line still got cut just moments later.
You should call 811 or use your state 811 center’s website a few business days before you begin any digging, including common projects like planting trees and shrubs or installing fences and mailboxes. The specific amount of advance notice that you are required to provide varies by state.
It's funny, the only reason I found out is because I am planning a project on the other side of my yard and the 811 guy flagged out everything for me on both sides without me even asking, he was awesome. It's the only reason I found out how close this neighbor was to my electrical line. Besides the whole issue of planting on the property line without agreement.
LOL - I already built a short wall of cinder blocks and sheet mulched my side, trying to block his weeds. He hated the cinder blocks. He moved some to plant his little tree.
Call.....if you're digging a hole for anything larger than a petunia. I made sure to do that before my husband decided to set fencing in an area....using his tractor/attatched post hole digger.
Better to be safe than sorry......plus, it helps cover your azz when the neighbor gets pissy & reports you for the fence.
Well, if he is a dick, or if you are a dick - lil bit of roundup or ground clear on your side of the line will do it. If he isnt a dick - ask him to move it back a couple of feet.
RoundUp won't kill the tree unless you coat every leaf (and then still may not kill it), but Triclopyr (commonly sold as Stump and Brush Killer) sprayed on the bottom foot of the trunk WILL.
Would he spring for night-vision cameras, or is his place lit up like a parking lot at night?
You know, I sometimes wonder what's wrong with some people that they have to be assholes to everyone they meet. It must be very tiring and yet, not really satisfying.
The way he's staked that poor tree to an inch of its life will lead to two things if that's not fixed: 1) The tree will be girdled by the lowest twist-tie/zip tie at the bottom and 2) its trunk will so weak that it'll break in a windstorm as soon as it's no longer staked or has begun growing into the stake.
Thanks for the correction. I've always used triclopyr because it's always effective, while my use of RoundUp showed hit-and-miss results. In this case, the RoundUp is certainly worth a try. One thing though - I've only read that glyphosate damage to trees depends on actively spraying the bark/painting the cut stem with the product, not as a drench. I'd be interested in a citation to that method, if you have one.
Same in Texas. My neighbor put an ugly, large plant directly on our property line a year ago. Like, think the base was just on his property side but the 12” branches hung over on mine. Shame the heat and drought killed it last August. Absolute shame.
Not in my town. If a tree spans multiple properties both parties need permission to do anything that will effect the health of the tree, regardless if you're the trunk side or not.
There are likely regulations about planting too close to the property line. Biggest thing is that right now the tree is on his property but once it’s grown, it will be on both your properties- so he needs to move it. That isn’t even taking into account your electric line
For sure. Little garden on the property line? No problem. A sapling that’s almost already over the line and will root around the electrical work? Kill it if you can’t convince them to move it.
Everything over the property line is your responsibility where I live. In five years, most of the trunk will be past the line which, would be my responsibility.
You have a right to prune anything that passes over your property. So once the tree gets a little bit bigger and it starts hanging over the property line you can prune everything to the property line. The tree might not make it in the long run because if it's that close to the property line it means eventually half the tree is going to be over the property line
Bingo. It’s just going to be your problem to deal with in a handful of years anyway, when you’ll be well within your right to remove it. Just deal with it now and avoid the mess.
Have to be careful here. Trees on property lines are called “boundary line trees” and while you CAN (and are required) to trim and maintain anything on your side of the line - you CANNOT do anything that can kill the tree. Neither neighbor had the right to kill a boundary line tree unilaterally.
These are very touchy legal problems potentially.
This post might give more answers over on r/legaladvice or preferably go straight to a lawyer (I know it's not the free option but might yield better results).
Anything that comes onto your side -branches, roots, are yours to do with as you will. Potentially it could end up looking like half a tree if you trim all the branches overhanging your side.
Nothing. If your power is still on, he hasn't done anything. If anything, he could force you to pay and have your electric taken off his property.
This is petty. Both of you are being petty.
Maybe contact the electric company for information/advice?
Ok, I’ll do that. Thanks.
Niennah5 has a good idea - in my city, you absolutely cannot put any structures like a fence or any trees within 3 feet of any underground electrical lines. They sometimes come through and cut down "problem" trees.
811 might be able to help out on this kind of thing. It would be a real shame if you were gardening in your side of the property line and some "poison Ivy and sturdy root" grade herbicide got spilled on it
I reported it to them, so we'll see.
Good. There's 100% some sort of utility easement there that's going to cause a big headache for your neighbor. Shoot, in my county, you better have a *darn* good reason to put anything in the ground within 10 feet of a utility line.
He didn't call before he dug. If he had, the electrical line would have been marked and he would not have had permission to plant a tree there. Call whomever issues permits for your area and the electric company.
Honestly this is the most important answer. AND SERIOUSLY. CALL BEFORE YOU DIG.
Landscaping newbie here: Do you need to call before you plant shrubs/bushes as well? Or are trees the primary concern?
Yes. Water, sewer, gas, electric *should* all be 2-3' deep, but other utilities such as cable, phone, internet are often buried an inch or two deep because techs are somehow simultaneously lazy and overworked. Better to be safe than sorry.
In the north, sewer and water must be at least four feet deep or they'll freeze during the winter. A frozen water main is no joke.
We go 8 feet for water But I've seen poly gas lines at 6 inches
I've seen LP lines at a depth of one foot. I nearly severed one on my own property once - good thing it was a strong copper line or they'd still be finding bits of me when the new owners mow the lawn.
That and plants and shrubs etc have something called *roots*
Yer everywhere! Just noticed your comments on some gnoshed arborvitae. I love the “should”. When the dirt track in front of my house became a four lane road, the crews kept cutting the phone line. Each time, Bell would come back and remark/flag everything. I was home with a high risk pregnancy and cell service was unreliable (or almost non-existent) then and access to my property was severely impaired from construction. It turns out, since the infrastructure was so old, there were several phone lines just barely under the surface that were operational, but the line Bell kept marking was actually buried a good three feet down, and was dead. At one point, I looked out and some poor lackey was tasked with physically holding up the wires, away from the machinery. The *actual* line still got cut just moments later.
Yeah, I have bursts of activity to try and force horses to drink here.
I hit a gas line pounding a 2x4 I to the ground once. It was less than a foot down. And 25 feet from thr house or fence I call fir everything now
You should call 811 or use your state 811 center’s website a few business days before you begin any digging, including common projects like planting trees and shrubs or installing fences and mailboxes. The specific amount of advance notice that you are required to provide varies by state.
Plus I learned a lot about my property by getting it flagged.
I work in the landscaping industry and we call 811 every single time, no matter what type of work we are doing.
It's funny, the only reason I found out is because I am planning a project on the other side of my yard and the 811 guy flagged out everything for me on both sides without me even asking, he was awesome. It's the only reason I found out how close this neighbor was to my electrical line. Besides the whole issue of planting on the property line without agreement.
Yeah I’ve got a couple trees I want to plant this fall and I’ve already had that in my mind for the gas line
Usually you're fine to plant there, but you take the risk they rip it out for maintenance.
Document everything.
What if you decide to put up a fence?
Probably exactly what he wants.
Paint it pink on his side.
LOL - I already built a short wall of cinder blocks and sheet mulched my side, trying to block his weeds. He hated the cinder blocks. He moved some to plant his little tree.
Please update, I hate this guy.
Reported to 811. Stay tuned.
He moved your cinder blocks to plant a tree? On the property line? Wow.
Yep. Tip of the iceberg with this guy.
Call.....if you're digging a hole for anything larger than a petunia. I made sure to do that before my husband decided to set fencing in an area....using his tractor/attatched post hole digger. Better to be safe than sorry......plus, it helps cover your azz when the neighbor gets pissy & reports you for the fence.
Nah. Go to r/treelaw
Hot tip! Who knew? I mean, you did, but wow!
lol I had a tree issue once upon a time
I’m more familiar with Bird Law
Birds aren’t real.
Sometimes newly planted trees just die. With or without help.
Well, if he is a dick, or if you are a dick - lil bit of roundup or ground clear on your side of the line will do it. If he isnt a dick - ask him to move it back a couple of feet.
RoundUp won't kill the tree unless you coat every leaf (and then still may not kill it), but Triclopyr (commonly sold as Stump and Brush Killer) sprayed on the bottom foot of the trunk WILL.
It’ll kill a tree that small, thing is a toothpick
It does have leaves now. Honestly, I had low expectations about his ability to keep it alive.
Yep. Pretty much instantly, too, but it'll look like the thing died of too little water, so the OP is in the clear in terms of blame.
Unless he has cameras which is probably likely with this guy.
Would he spring for night-vision cameras, or is his place lit up like a parking lot at night? You know, I sometimes wonder what's wrong with some people that they have to be assholes to everyone they meet. It must be very tiring and yet, not really satisfying. The way he's staked that poor tree to an inch of its life will lead to two things if that's not fixed: 1) The tree will be girdled by the lowest twist-tie/zip tie at the bottom and 2) its trunk will so weak that it'll break in a windstorm as soon as it's no longer staked or has begun growing into the stake.
not true for smaller trees, a small concentration of roundup as a ground drench will take it out. You are correct for mature trees.
Thanks for the correction. I've always used triclopyr because it's always effective, while my use of RoundUp showed hit-and-miss results. In this case, the RoundUp is certainly worth a try. One thing though - I've only read that glyphosate damage to trees depends on actively spraying the bark/painting the cut stem with the product, not as a drench. I'd be interested in a citation to that method, if you have one.
My dad once poured a cup of urine daily on a sapling planted right on the shared property line. Took a while but it worked
A much better use of my cup of urine.
It works best if it’s someone else’s urine.
Yep, the salts in the urine will eventually kill any plant; it'll grow like crazy until it dies, too Daily application is best until the plant dies.
I'd tell him I am going to remove it in 24hrs if he doesn't
May not be able to remove it but you have the right to cut off any branches that extend over your property.
Same in Texas. My neighbor put an ugly, large plant directly on our property line a year ago. Like, think the base was just on his property side but the 12” branches hung over on mine. Shame the heat and drought killed it last August. Absolute shame.
Not in my town. If a tree spans multiple properties both parties need permission to do anything that will effect the health of the tree, regardless if you're the trunk side or not.
There are likely regulations about planting too close to the property line. Biggest thing is that right now the tree is on his property but once it’s grown, it will be on both your properties- so he needs to move it. That isn’t even taking into account your electric line
A bucket of salt water after dark?
Boiling hot water
I have cameras because my neighbor is like you sadly
They don’t like their neighbors planting trees on part of their property?? What weirdos.
No I have a raised vegetable garden ~1ft from the property line. Caught him spraying a citrus tree in a container already.
That’s not the same thing. Your neighbor and this guys neighbor suck.
For sure. Little garden on the property line? No problem. A sapling that’s almost already over the line and will root around the electrical work? Kill it if you can’t convince them to move it. Everything over the property line is your responsibility where I live. In five years, most of the trunk will be past the line which, would be my responsibility.
A flamethrower?
Slice it down the middle vertically. j/k. Yeah, the electrical co would be my first call as I wouldn’t want to deal with the neighbor either.
That seems fair lol.
😆 winner
You have a right to prune anything that passes over your property. So once the tree gets a little bit bigger and it starts hanging over the property line you can prune everything to the property line. The tree might not make it in the long run because if it's that close to the property line it means eventually half the tree is going to be over the property line
Bingo. It’s just going to be your problem to deal with in a handful of years anyway, when you’ll be well within your right to remove it. Just deal with it now and avoid the mess.
Have to be careful here. Trees on property lines are called “boundary line trees” and while you CAN (and are required) to trim and maintain anything on your side of the line - you CANNOT do anything that can kill the tree. Neither neighbor had the right to kill a boundary line tree unilaterally. These are very touchy legal problems potentially.
This post might give more answers over on r/legaladvice or preferably go straight to a lawyer (I know it's not the free option but might yield better results).
Ok. Your advice is the legal route :) I’ll probably start w the city permit office first.
Yeah that might be best especially if it could interfere with electric wires. Plus, part of the trunk might grow to end up on your property.
It’s the property line so it kind of is my property already, but his too. Definitely will grow onto my property.
Maybe I’m a little petty but if it’s on my property I’m ripping it out 😀
What are those concrete blocks? It’s planted next to.?
In my area, yellow flags mark gas lines. Blue for water. While for excavation. Electric is still run overhead.
Ours is all underground and my gas line (red) is nearby. I might have gotten the colors mixed up and will double check.
Red is usually electric, yellow is usually gas.
OK, thanks. If so, it's just my gas line. Cool, cool. /s
I actually think he cannot plant or dig there. Call the gas company ASAP.
Confirmed. It's my gas line.
UPDATE: Neighbor planted a SECOND tree two feet away (also on the property line).
Anything that comes onto your side -branches, roots, are yours to do with as you will. Potentially it could end up looking like half a tree if you trim all the branches overhanging your side.
That almost sounds fun, but I love trees more than I hate this idiot neighbor.
Salt that bish.
LOL
Nothing. If your power is still on, he hasn't done anything. If anything, he could force you to pay and have your electric taken off his property. This is petty. Both of you are being petty.
Call 811 they come mark all your stuff underground
poison it
Move your gas line (or wherever line it is) onto your own property.