Ken Hall wrote:

On Wed, 30 Nov 2005 16:37:55 -0500, "somebody"
wrote:


They look like some sort of seeds..


I apologize they may be seeds. The tree is so tall I can't see well
enough to tell --
http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/4...sontree9ee.jpg


You will have to do your painting
when the tree is not setting seed and no there is nothing you can do
to get someone to cut their tree just because you don't like the seeds.


You've never lived in Houston have you.

I'm not nearly as sure as you that I have to disrupt and lead my life,
letting a neighbors tree cover my yard, patio, deck and floor with
trash for much of the fall so he can have a trash tree. He can do
what he wants in HIS yard, not mine.

Ken


Well, as others have said, the stuff looks like seeds, and no, I don't
think even in Houston can you force a neighbour to cut down a tree just
because it sheds gazillions of li'l seeds. AFAIK, the general rule is
that you can force the trimming of branches that overhang your property,
especially if they pose a danger (eg, if they're rotting.) You can also
roto-root your sewage lines if the roots from the neighbours tree get
into them, or force the removal of a tree whose roots dmage your house's
foundation, and so on. No doubt local ordinances elaborate on these
general principles. Judges sometimes interpret these ordinances in
interesting ways. But I doubt a judge would force a neighbour to cut
down a tree just because you happen to want to do some painting when
it's shedding seeds.

It may be possible to persuade the new neighbour to trim the tree, which
might reduce the seed-fall for a season or two. But most trees and
shrubs do better than ever after trimming or pruning.

So I'm afraid you're stuck.

BTW, up here in Canada, we take our shoes off at the door - saves a lot
of vacuuming. When we first came to Canada 60 years ago, it felt odd
doing that. Now it feels odd not doing it. Thus do habits mold our
attitudes. :-)

Good luck!