Looking for some community advice regarding an ongoing neighbor/tree dispute in Florida.
We have 3 large oak trees lining our property line. The trees are fully on our side of the fence and have apparently been there since before the house was even built (the home was built in 1993). We purchased the house in 2022.
When we first moved in, our neighbor asked us to remove a small baby tree because she claimed the larger trees were robbing it of nutrients. The baby tree wasn’t even encroaching into her yard, but we wanted to be good neighbors, so we paid to have it removed.
A little while later, she complained that one of the oak trees “looked like it was dying” and said we should cut it down. We hired a professional tree company to inspect it, and they told us the tree was healthy, not dangerous, and simply lacking sunlight in certain areas. Based on that professional opinion, we decided not to remove it.
Now she’s complaining that all 3 trees are causing pollen, leaves, and algae buildup on her pool enclosure, which requires her to pressure wash more often. She also claims the moisture and debris are corroding her enclosure beams and says this has been an ongoing issue.
We contacted our HOA to get clarification, and they told us that ultimately, if we do not want to remove the trees, we are not required to. Despite that, she submitted a lengthy complaint to the HOA calling the trees a “nuisance” and demanding they be cut down.
We’ve also heard from several neighbors that she has a history of being difficult and confrontational, and apparently she never raised these issues with the previous homeowners. Some neighbors think she may be trying to take advantage of us because we’re younger and new to the neighborhood.
At this point, we’re wondering:
- Can she realistically take us to court over this?
- Is pollen/algae from oak trees considered enough of a legal nuisance in Florida?
- Is there anything we can do to protect ourselves or make this issue finally stop?
We’re trying to be respectful neighbors, but we also don’t want to remove healthy mature oak trees unnecessarily. Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.
by nicolasco_
15 Comments
weclome to the world of Karen
Tell her to kick rocks. That’s a confirmed Karen.
I would 100% install surveillance cameras monitoring your property and your trees.
Too many posts of asshole neighbors cutting down trees ruining the privacy screen that takes decades to grow.
Trees that have been there for years > her fucking pool
I would simply ignore her. She has no interest in being respectful herself so there’s no relationship to foster.
it’s crazy ppl hate trees so much
Tell her they are emotional support trees, u need them
She built the pool after the trees. Trees do things. She has to deal with the trees and you are under no obligation to do anything.
To make it stop, firmly but politely tell her that you’ve had the trees inspected by certified arborists and that they are all healthy and will all be staying. You could offer to sell her the trees and then she could pay to have them removed.
What kind of Oak trees are they? I think some species are protected in FL
Love it. Fire with fire: Have chatgpt draft a cease and desist letter, and pay any attorney to sign it. Deliver it to her in person andverbally remind her of your steadfast position. Document your steps, and compile.
This is an effort to cover your bases and to give her no reason to pick fights for any other shit in the future.
I would tell her to get fucked
Not an arborist but I would keep a close eye on those trees. Pay for good cameras. This is the kind of person who sneaks over and tries to kill your trees discreetly to force a removal.
Be nice, buy security cameras, and ignore her.
The mistake you made was removing the first tree. You were trying to avoid conflict.
You gave an inch, and now she thinks she has the upper hand, and is trying to take a mile.
As far as pollen, leaves, and algae is concerned, it comes from everywhere, not just your trees. It’s Florida, after all.
Aluminum exposed to the atmosphere corrodes. Not your fault, not your trees fault either.
That doesn’t sound like anything you have to care about.
I had a similar situation in South Florida. My elderly mother’s neighbors complained about the possibility of palm trees’ fronds falling on their screen which covers the pool. This, in case of a high wind event. They insisted they be removed. We did not. I said, “You have insurance, right?” The upshot was they ultimately wanted more sunshine, but the trees were lovely (the fronds never fell) and were an asset to the value of the property.