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#1
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Legal/Ethical Dilemma?
Three years ago, my neighbors were storing a canoe up against the chain link
fence that separates our backyards. It was an eyesore. My opinion is that I have no right complaining to my neighbors about what they do on their own property, so I took a pro-active approach instead. I planted some Silver Lace vines on the chain link fence. This worked very well and by the end of summer it hid the canoe, and it looked really nice. The following year, they got rid of the canoe and planted a flower garden in its place. Even though I no longer needed the vines, they looked so beautiful that I kept them. Now, three years later, they are a magnificent backdrop to the rest of my flower garden. It's a backdrop to their flower garden too, and they didn't even have to pay for it. During the Christmas holidays, I invited these neighbors over for a holiday drink, and James said "Michelle, you're going to have to do something about those vines." When I asked him what he meant, he said that the vines were growing into their yard and are strangling their plants. I told him that it's a vine, and all vines need trimming occasionally. I told him I trim my side of the vine every two or three weeks in the summer, and it only takes about five minutes each time. I said that's a small price to pay for having such a beautiful plant that is covering what was an ugly chain link fence. He told me that he and his wife shouldn't have to trim it at all, because it was my vine. He said if I were willing to trim it on their side of the fence from now on, they wouldn't have a problem with it, but if I don't do this, I'd have to "do something about my vines". He of course means I should kill the plants to make him happy. I changed the topic and wasn't the same for the rest of the evening. I was insulted that they would come into my home, drink my wine, and use it as an opportunity to criticize me. Plus, it's winter! Why is he bringing that up in the middle of winter? I have already decided that I will trim the vines on their side of the fence. But now I'm wondering who is right, and who is wrong, in this situation? Am I right to think my neighbors are cranky? Does the law obligate me to trim vines that enter my neighbors yard? Should they accept the minor chore of vine trimming in return for having such a beautiful backdrop (their words) to their garden? TIA! Michelle |
#2
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In article , Michelle C
writes I have already decided that I will trim the vines on their side of the fence. But now I'm wondering who is right, and who is wrong, in this situation? Am I right to think my neighbors are cranky? Does the law obligate me to trim vines that enter my neighbors yard? Should they accept the minor chore of vine trimming in return for having such a beautiful backdrop (their words) to their garden? Where are you posting from? Your frequent use of 'yard' suggests it might not be the UK, in which case our advice will not be of much use to you. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
#3
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I'm in the USA. I realize that our laws are often different, and what
applies in the U.K. may not apply here. I'm just curious. (You don't call them "yards" in the U.K.?) Where are you posting from? Your frequent use of 'yard' suggests it might not be the UK, in which case our advice will not be of much use to you. |
#5
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In article , Kay
writes Where are you posting from? Your frequent use of 'yard' suggests it might not be the UK, in which case our advice will not be of much use to you. You may take that view of your own advice if you wish Kay, but many non UK gardeners have been very grateful for help given to them by urglers, and long may they continue to do so. Gardening is a global activity and the Internet is a global means of communication. Any mailing about UK recreational gardening is welcome here. -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. |
#6
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On 10/1/05 18:20, in article , "Michelle C"
wrote: I'm in the USA. I realize that our laws are often different, and what applies in the U.K. may not apply here. I'm just curious. (You don't call them "yards" in the U.K.?) Gardens. ;-) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
#7
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Thanks for your reply, Sasha,
Maybe the growing conditions are not as good in my yard, but the Silver Lace vines only require trimming every 2-3 weeks, as I said. I disagree with you though about how "patient" these neighbors are. They have no trees of their own, and two years ago installed a above-ground swimming pool in their yard. Since then they've complained numerous times about my trees (mature oaks and elms) blocking the morning sun from their pool, and the westerly neighbor's trees (oaks) of blocking the the afternoon sun. They actually asked him if he would cut his oak tree down because of this! I only asked about the legality of their complaint out of curiousity. I have no intention of taking them to court. I'll trim the vines, and if they persist in being cranky, I'll cut them down and install a privacy fence - one of my own choosing - and ask nothing of them in way of renumeration. Thanks, Michelle |
#8
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"Michelle C" wrote in message ... snip As you are an American, I suggest that as someone has upset you, you bomb the hell out of them, invade their garden, occupy it, take their natural resources to pay for the damage, and then insist that they thank you for showing them the American Way. Have a nice day y'all. |
#9
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I forgot to mention, these same neighbors complain about the leaves my trees
drop into their yard each fall. I wonder if they will ask me to rake their yard for them? :-0 |
#10
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Thanks for your warm welcome, Duncan.
"Duncan Heenan" wrote in message ... As you are an American, I suggest that as someone has upset you, you bomb the hell out of them, invade their garden, occupy it, take their natural resources to pay for the damage, and then insist that they thank you for showing them the American Way. Have a nice day y'all. |
#11
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Duncan Heenan wrote:
:: "Michelle C" wrote in message :: ... ::: snip :: :: As you are an American, I suggest that as someone has upset you, :: you bomb the hell out of them, invade their garden, occupy it, :: take their natural resources to pay for the damage, and then :: insist that they thank you for showing them the American Way. :: Have a nice day y'all. Just like Britain did with India, Burma, Australia, America, Canada etc etc etc. -- http://www.blueyonder256k.myby.co.uk/ |
#12
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In article ,
Janet Baraclough wrote: The message from "Michelle C" contains these words: I'm in the USA. I realize that our laws are often different, and what applies in the U.K. may not apply here. I'm just curious. (You don't call them "yards" in the U.K.?) No, we went metric. I deny that my yard has ever been metricated. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
#13
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In article , Sacha
writes On 10/1/05 18:20, in article , "Michelle C" wrote: I'm in the USA. I realize that our laws are often different, and what applies in the U.K. may not apply here. I'm just curious. (You don't call them "yards" in the U.K.?) Gardens. ;-) A yard is a small area of concrete where you keep the dustbins. Not a place where you would linger ;-) -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
#14
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In article , Michelle C
writes I forgot to mention, these same neighbors complain about the leaves my trees drop into their yard each fall. The law over here is that if your trees overhang my garden, I can cut them back as far as the boundary, but what I cut off remains your property and I have to offer it back to you. The more neighbourly approach is to discuss trimming beforehand, and not to just sling the trimmings back over the fence. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
#15
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Hello Janet,
Monday, January 10, 2005, 9:22:54 PM, you wrote: JB No, we went metric. When? OK fuel and things in shops are sold metrically but there are still Miles, feet yards and inches or have things changed in the two months since I've been living in France (where I'm about to change my bike computer from miles to kilometers) ;-) -- Best regards, Richard (remove NS to reply) mailto:richard.wakeford@wanadoNS/fr |
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