reader question re neighbour's tree

Hi, I have just moved to Calgary, loving it.  I am in a duplex, and next to me is a single house.  They have about a 50-60 foot pine tree about 2 metres from my property, however the branches extend about 20 feet over into my front yard, they have killed my grass, and my birch tree is being squished.  Also, in the back, their trees are tangled up in my wires which run to the house.

The city says it is not their issue.  I called a Davies tree service who told me it was illegal to trim branches which are in my yard.

Additionally, the root of the evergreen is extending largely into my yard, 

do you have advice?  where can i go for it?  i am not able to find anything about this in a legal sense on line

thanks so much, shirley

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Hi Shirley,

With so many big trees myself, I sympathize with you, I really do!  Fortunately, my problem trees are on my own property so I only have to deal with my husband rather than neighbour in trying to handle them!

My understanding is that you are allowed to cut off branches of your neighbour's tree that are reaching into our own yard.  I expect the tree company is just referring to the fact that they are not allowed to (you can't hire someone to trim someone else's tree) but you can do it yourself. You might want to double-check that.

The roots are another issue that you can't really do anything about.  If you want to plant in that area, assuming there is enough light once you cut back branches, the best bet would be to raise the soil level (perhaps build raised beds?) with really good quality soil and water regularly.  This isn't actually best practice for the tree but perhaps will satisfy your needs!

I would be careful before doing all of this, however.  Is a raised bed going to be attractive enough to distract you from a misshapen tree looming over your yard?  Try to visualize it.  Can you put some nice bark mulch under the tree and perhaps a few pots to make the area attractive instead?

That's about the best advice I can give without seeing the actual yard.  Readers, do you have anything else to add?

Janice

Comments

[plantman]

I think the bylaw is that you cannot touch plants that intrude into your property. The best bet is to phone 311 and hopefully someone at the city can give the correct answer.

[Amanda]

Have you tried talking to your neighbours about it? That seems like the logical first step.

[Calgary Garden Coach]

Thanks everyone.
If plantman is right, then I should have a chat with my neighbour who keeps cutting branches off one of my spruce trees hanging over his fence. No, I'm just kidding, because I don't blame him, I didn't plant the tree (it is too big and too close to the fence), and I can't see the branches he's cut anyway, so it doesn't bother me at all.
And of course, Amanda is very right. I had assumed you would already do this first step. But if the neighbour doesn't want to take down the tree, then the comments above apply!
Good luck,
Janice

[Frank Rizzo]

Worse comes to worse, pour a healthy amount of concentrated round-up or antifreeze over the giant roots extending into your yard and all around... This is best done under the cover of darkness. It's a long term solution but permanent. Kill the tree, they will have to cut it down and you can flush/treat your soil! Just don't tell anyone!

I'm only half joking about that... that said, if your neighbor has no problems cutting your tree back, I would assume they wouldn't have any problem with you doing the same quid pro quo. It doesn't sound like you've had a conversation with the neighbor yet, that's definitely a first step!