|
|
Post by fiddlesticks on Jul 14, 2014 1:22:37 GMT
![]()  *update 8/23* The tree is dead, dead, dead. We called a tree company and they said there was no way it was a just Roundup that killed the tree that quickly. We could have had the soil tested but they said that we might not really be able to know for sure because there is so much that could break down into the soil, etc, etc. It has been two months since their trees were cut. So, know we have a neighbor that is lying in some capacity with no real way to prove/disprove anything. At this point, we are going to have the tree removed but we are still trying to figure out what to do with the space. It is in the corner in the fence line and without majorly disrupting our yard, the neighbor's yard and the neighbor behind us we can't really plant another tree. So we are thinking about either just extending the retaining wall (which will be boring) or maybe doing a water fountain something. At the very least, we need to get the tree down but with the beginning of the school year, I just can't think about the other part. I do know that our feelings about the neighbors have changed. There was no reason for them to pour the tree killer on their stump and with his background as a parks supervisor, he would have know that it was going to kill our tree. They were worried about trees falling on their house (even though there was nothing wrong with any of the ones they took down in their yard) and even though they will end up paying for it, I think they are getting exactly what they wanted which is our tree gone too. We aren't going to accuse or confront them and will be amicable if we see them but there will be no Christmas cookie plate this season. I know it's just a tree, but it still makes me sad every time I see it. ***update*** My DH, not wanting things to get crazy, decided to just go next door and talk to the neighbor. Long story short the neighbor put Roundup on the tree stumps to kill them and get them out. DH said that neighbor felt horrible and apologized a bunch. Neighbor said if it doesn't bounce back (and he didn't think it would) that they would pay to get the tree removed and have another one put in. He said he didn't even think about that they would share the same root system. I am glad that DH just went to talk to him. We really do get along with them. I asked DH if he thought that they had noticed it and he said he was pretty sure that they had...at least the wife based on her face when my DH started talking. Anyway...just thought I would update. OP: A couple of weeks ago our next door neighbor had 6 trees removed. Two of them were cedars that were just on the other side of our shared fence. We have one cedar on our side that were the same age of the two that they had removed. There wasn't anything wrong with them, they just felt like they were crowding their yard. I was sad to see them go as they provided some privacy for us, but their tree, their choice. They didn't have the stumps removed, the company just poured something on it (shiny-like) over the stumps....my guess it to prevent growth? I don't know. Well, I noticed last week that some of the branches on our cedar were turning brown/rust colored. I pointed it out to my husband and we were really hoping that it wasn't a sign of things to come. Well, we just got back from being gone on a camping tree and our tree is totally dying. I know it is just a tree but I am seriously bummed. It is the only thing that provides shade in our backyard. Do we have any kind of recourse with the tree company? I am trying to keep a level head but it is not working... My DH says...goes ask the peas! Any advice? WWYD? |
|
marianne
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys. . . My monkeys fly!
Posts: 4,176 
Location: right smack dab in the middle of SC
Site Supporter
Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
|
Post by marianne on Jul 14, 2014 1:29:33 GMT
wow, that really sucks! it sounds like the trees were connected at the root level and whatever the tree company poured on your neighbor's trees - which was probably a stump/root killer - is now affecting yours. I'm not sure what recourse you have but I think I'd totally be speaking to your neighbor and/or the tree company. Just let them know that whatever they used on those trees is killing yours.
The time frame for all of this just can't be coincidence...
|
|
|
|
Post by hennybutton on Jul 14, 2014 1:35:37 GMT
First thing I'd do is call out a certified arborist and verify that the stuff your neighbor's guy put on the stumps is indeed what is hurting your tree. He should also be able to tell you if your tree can be saved. My guess is that the neighbor didn't use a certified arborist to remove his trees and the guy just used the most expedient removal method rather than one that wouldn't have damaged your tree. If the arborist confirms that what your neighbor's tree guy did damaged your tree, you can talk to your neighbor. If your tree is indeed dying, then you'll have the expense of removing the tree and planting a new one. I'd insist on one that's already large enough to provide shade and that doesn't come cheap. If he's a good neighbor, he should pick up the tab. It may even be covered by his homeowner's policy. Otherwise, you may need a lawyer if it's an important enough issue to you. I'm not a lawyer, I just play one on message boards.  |
|
GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,306
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
|
Post by GiantsFan on Jul 14, 2014 1:40:16 GMT
I'm so sorry. I love trees and live surrounded by oaks. We recently had two out of about 100 removed due to sudden oak death and it still makes me sad.
I would ask a certified arborist to come out and take a look at your tree. It's probable that it's related to the neighbors tree guys pouring something on the stumps. But it's also possible that it's not related. I wouldn't confront the neighbor or the tree guy until I had a report from someone who specializes in trees.
|
|
GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,306
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
|
Post by GiantsFan on Jul 14, 2014 1:41:01 GMT
hennybutton, I think you posted while I was typing. LOL! I like your answer!
|
|
|
|
Post by Really Red on Jul 14, 2014 1:42:57 GMT
Another vote for calling a tree guy to give you his opinion. I'm sorry. It sucks.
|
|
|
|
Post by fiddlesticks on Jul 14, 2014 1:44:12 GMT
The company that did the removal is a well established company in the area and my DH is planning on calling them in the morning. I am not sure that I feel like my neighbor (who we get along with) is really the responsible party. In my mind, the tree company should have said "uh...there is another cedar tree on the other side of this fence, we better not do XXX in this case but YYY so that their tree isn't harmed." Not being an arborist I don't know what XXX and YYY would be but there would have to be a better way of taking care of that, right?
We have lived in the house for 9 years and haven't had a problem ever with this tree. My DH asked me what my end goal was. I said, "I am not paying a dime for it to be removed if it does end up dying and I want one of fairly comparable size to replace it. And I am not paying a dime for that either." I don't know how that would even be possible because it is so close to the corner of our yard. It would easily tear up their yard and the neighbor behind us. Grrrr....
On the other hand, it isn't like anyone set out to kill our tree and I do have to live next to my neighbors. I don't want to start a "thing", ya know?
|
|
|
|
Post by fiddlesticks on Jul 14, 2014 1:45:28 GMT
I am thinking we should call a different tree guy first? I mean, we can call the tree guy they used and they could me like, "yep...bummer for you". Are they really going to be honest about it?
|
|
|
|
Post by hennybutton on Jul 14, 2014 1:47:09 GMT
The company that did the removal is a well established company in the area and my DH is planning on calling them in the morning. I am not sure that I feel like my neighbor (who we get along with) is really the responsible party. In my mind, the tree company should have said "uh...there is another cedar tree on the other side of this fence, we better not do XXX in this case but YYY so that their tree isn't harmed." Not being an arborist I don't know what XXX and YYY would be but there would have to be a better way of taking care of that, right? We have lived in the house for 9 years and haven't had a problem ever with this tree. My DH asked me what my end goal was. I said, "I am not paying a dime for it to be removed if it does end up dying and I want one of fairly comparable size to replace it. And I am not paying a dime for that either." I don't know how that would even be possible because it is so close to the corner of our yard. It would easily tear up their yard and the neighbor behind us. Grrrr.... On the other hand, it isn't like anyone set out to kill our tree and I do have to live next to my neighbors. I don't want to start a "thing", ya know? |
|
|
|
Post by **Angie** on Jul 14, 2014 1:53:00 GMT
Call a different company.
|
|
|
|
Post by AN on Jul 14, 2014 2:22:13 GMT
I agree that if you think you have recourse, you should get a third-party opinion.
That said, unless the stuff they used spilled into your yard, I don't really think that you are entitled to recourse. That's nature, and they had every right to do that to the trees on their property. As long as the company wasn't negligent, I think it's a "wow, that sucks" kind of thing. Just like if their tree had gotten a pest or disease and it transferred to your tree - a risk of landscaping & plants close to neighbors.
I'm sure people won't like that response, but not everything is necessarily a fault issue or that someone should pay. Sometimes it is just a sucky circumstance.
I'm very sorry though, I would be super upset as well. We have a huge tree on our west side and I'd be very upset if something happened to it!
|
|
|
|
Post by christine58 on Jul 14, 2014 2:34:02 GMT
Call someone different..
|
|
calgal08
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,519
Jun 27, 2014 15:43:46 GMT
|
Post by calgal08 on Jul 14, 2014 3:00:47 GMT
yup, like others have said, go with a neutral party. Do not use the same tree company. Find another, equally reputable firm.
|
|
|
|
Post by AussieMeg on Jul 14, 2014 3:38:52 GMT
I'm sorry to hear that, what a bummer. I'm glad that your neighbour has agreed to replace the tree if it dies. Just make sure they replace it with as mature a tree as possible so you don't have to wait years for it to grow. This will be more expensive for them but so be it. Are they allowed to just cut them down? Where I live you have to get council approval to cut down any trees and it is virtually impossible to get that approval. Friends of mine tried to get approval to cut down some pine trees on the block they were building on but they were knocked back. Eventually they were allowed to cut down some of the trees on the proviso that they planted the same number of large trees within a certain time frame. Yep, I live in the Nanny state.  |
|
|
|
Post by Megan on Jul 14, 2014 4:04:14 GMT
Oh no!! Definitely call another company ASAP to see if it can be saved  |
|
Mary Kay Lady
Pearl Clutcher
PeaNut 367,913 Refupea number 1,638
Posts: 3,077
|
Post by Mary Kay Lady on Jul 14, 2014 5:24:56 GMT
Oh no! I'm sorry that you're tree is affected. At least they're willing to make it right. In the mean time, I wonder if it would help to water the tree heavily? Doing so might help the tree recover if it's not too far gone already.
|
|
anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,395
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
|
Post by anniebygaslight on Jul 14, 2014 5:32:04 GMT
What a nuisance. At least the neighbour has made you a reasonable offer.
|
|
|
|
Post by melanell on Jul 14, 2014 11:40:30 GMT
I'm glad the talk with the neighbors went well, but I still wonder if an arborist may have some tips to try to save your tree if it is possible.
Best of luck!
|
|
TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,790
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
|
Post by TankTop on Jul 14, 2014 11:47:15 GMT
I also wonder if heavy watering might help dilute the round-up.
|
|
peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,645
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
|
Post by peabay on Jul 14, 2014 11:50:59 GMT
Happy for your positive update!
|
|
eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
|
Post by eastcoastpea on Jul 14, 2014 12:08:28 GMT
Glad to hear that your neighbors will be paying for the removal of your tree and a replacement. I'm sure approaching them with a cool head helped. I hope you love your new tree.
|
|
suzastampin
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,587
|
Post by suzastampin on Jul 14, 2014 12:10:09 GMT
Try trimming all the brown off and see if it comes back before cutting it down. Our fuel tank had a leak and it's right beside one of our trees. We dug up the underground tank. I cut all the brown off the tree and it bounced back nicely. We also have a blue spruce in the back yards that was next to a mulberry tree. The side facing the mulberry started dying off. When lightening hit the mulberry, we had to have it taken down. I went up the side of the spruce cutting off all the dead stuff. It's all filled in again. They look great. Both of these trees were here when we bought the house 40 years ago.
|
|
|
|
Post by Minnesota*Mom on Jul 14, 2014 12:43:11 GMT
Unless you have anything in writing from the neighbor, I'd take pictures and document everything that has happened. When they see the bill for removal and replacement, they may go back on their word.
|
|
|
|
Post by StacyinUT on Jul 14, 2014 12:54:56 GMT
fiddlesticks....do you happen to live in UT?
|
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Jul 14, 2014 13:15:17 GMT
I'm sorry, I'd be sick about losing a perfectly healthy tree. too!
I am glad your neighbors want to do the right thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by fiddlesticks on Jul 14, 2014 17:26:07 GMT
fiddlesticks....do you happen to live in UT? Nope....Oregon.  We called and they said with it being a cedar there isn't really anything we can do to save it. Just waiting and seeing what happens. Luckily, I has taken pictures last week when my DD and a friend were playing in the back yard so we have a picture of the tree healthy. I guess we will just see... |
|
marianne
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys. . . My monkeys fly!
Posts: 4,176
Location: right smack dab in the middle of SC
Site Supporter
Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
|
Post by marianne on Jul 14, 2014 17:30:36 GMT
I'm glad you spoke with your neighbor and straightened things out. Most people want to do the right thing. Even though it'll take time to mature like your old one, I hope you enjoy your new tree.
|
|
|
|
Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jul 14, 2014 19:00:50 GMT
Thanks for the update.
I think that was the best outcome you could have hoped for. I'm glad your neighbors are rational people.
|
|
|
|
Post by peasful1 on Jul 14, 2014 19:41:52 GMT
man. They must have used a lot of round up. Sadly, that's now in the soil. Who knows how long before any plant could survive in it.
|
|
|
|
Post by fiddlesticks on Jul 14, 2014 23:43:37 GMT
man. They must have used a lot of round up. Sadly, that's now in the soil. Who knows how long before any plant could survive in it. I am kind of wondering how it is that all their stuff surrounding is still alive, actually. They have a beautiful lilac bush and a rhododendron in the same corner... |
|
