have told him that is why grass is not growing. it's the tree in front in the pic. it's in the middle of the property line and he kind of hinted that if I don't want to do it, they'll just cut the parts of the tree over their property. they also mentioned wanting more sun on the house and are probably sick of the acorns (I don't blame them on the last part because a lot of them hit our cars if parked on the driveway).
while the grass does have trouble growing in a long line in front and behind the tree. Do you think it is really related to the tree blocking the sun? I feel like neighbors with trees in similar positions have no issue growing grass.
want to also say I think my neighbor is awesome. he helps with all kinds of stuff and lets me borrow stuff if I need it. he's a great neighbor and this is the first kind of disagreement about something we've had.
by bgsmack
26 Comments
The houses will be blocking as much or more sun than the tree will be. I think cutting the tree down is absolutely not the play if their concern is a small bit of grass isn’t growing quite as green as they want.
Second picture looks like they want a better view of your window. Charge them extra, if you decide to let them. Why extra because you’ll have to put a fence up to block their view of your place. Who keeps the wood? Who keeps the branches ?
If you’re okay with the tree being gone, just ask him to handle the costs of removal. Otherwise it can stay.
Can’t understand people who prefer grass over trees. Some kind of brainwashing involved, I think.
Why is grass growing well on the other side of the tree?
Perhaps you can kindly do research and find him a turf blend that tolerates shade better.
If the grass is so important, they could just seed with a mix for dry shade and see how it goes. That’s a fine tree, and it would be a shame for it to go. It’s probably also doing a ton of work keeping the AC bills down.
He wants more sun on the house? Sounds like BS.
The grass will do better without the tree but it’s a stupid reason to cut a healthy tree down.
Yes those 2 trees between the houses plus less sun bewtween the houses in general will definitely impede growing grass.
This is why neighbors suck!
Without the shade the tree provides in the summer, how hot will your house get? Dint think just “sun thru the windows”, that side of the house and roof will bake…
Is that his yard to the left in the photo? If so, that tree isn’t the problem. Why some people get so bent out of shape over what they have decided are the undesirable consequences of a tree’s existence is beyond me. You should point out that mutilating a tree out of spite is not a good idea, and if he does that, he’ll create an eyesore that you would be inclined to leave in place forevermore, out of spite. If he’s really a good neighbor, he will want to continue being a good neighbor. I don’t think you need to agree to remove the tree in order to also be a good neighbor.
In general, more trees are better than fewer trees.
If you don’t want to lose the tree, then look into your city code. It might be a protected species.
No
Say no, text him “no”, make a record of the discussion in case “something happens”, and make it clear in no uncertain terms that the tree stays.
They can trim their side of the tree, if there’s anything on their side, but do something to kill the tree and they invoke the wrath of TREE LAW.
These are the kind of people who need to be plugged into a simulation pod with a goo tube for the rest of their lives. They will have perfect green grass and that can be the limit of their exposure to nature.
Plenty of shade tolerant grasses out there that would do just fine underneath a tree. Seems like there are easier and cheaper solutions that dont involve taking down a tree
Wanted to add that the neighbor’s house is the house on the left in the first picture.
No
Why kill the poor tree :.( Have they tried raking, aerating, reseeding ?! There’s a lot to maintaining a lawn, you know. It’s not the tree’s fault.
I would recommend looking into “Overseeding” methods. There’s a lot of videos on how to get your lawn bouncing back VIA Overseeding. I’d totally recommend. It’s usually done in Spring and in the Autumn. The thing is when Winter comes, leaves and debris suffocate the lawn. It’s why people rake.
That lawn looks like it needs a good low mow, raking, aerating (poking holes with garden fork), and reseeding along with quilting it with a very light layer of top soil. Step gently for soil and seed contact. Water for 10 minutes twice day. Should see it bounce back within 4 weeks. Now every 5 days. Can’t expect a gorgeous green lawn when there’s no maintenance. 🌱
Please don’t kill the tree. 🤍
Tell him you’ll buy him some premium grass seed for shade and you’ll put down a truck load of mushroom manure first and then keep it watered. Ask him if this is good enough to try since you really want the tree to stay.
Nothing needs to be decided this year. The tree has lived there for a long time before either of you. Once you cut it down you can’t put it back. Tell the neighbor you need some time to adjust to the idea. See if he waits. See if he cuts off half the tree anyways. The waiting will tell you his level of regard for your feelings and in the meantime you can adjust to no tree idea.
If I was him i would be more concerned with the tree growing right next to his house
The first picture is from August, and I see plenty of sun hitting that dirt patch in front. There are other issues at play here.
It kinda looks like this tree and the 2 behind it are too close to either house (long term) but that’s just my opinion.
Grass isn’t better than trees…