Neighbour Update

Maybe I got a little too harsh and I want to apologise. I felt like I was being attacked for simply wanting a little respect from my neighbour on property rights. It is different for all of us. I have gotten too close to neighbours in the past that ended up with me being taken advantage of so my policy is to be friendly and help if really needed but to keep somewhat of a distance. The last neighbours and I got along great. I would help them at times and when I really needed them, they would lend a hand; like the time I left on a trip and forgot to lock the kitchen door. I called my neighbour and he came over and locked the door for me so I wouldn't be worrying. I want the same relationship with these neighbours as well.

Sunday the man was there starting to work on the brush. I went over and offered my hand and we spoke about things. He stated that he did not intend to drop the tree across the property line but that the tree spun on him. My first thought on that was that he had cut into the hinge and thus lost control of the drop. I accepted his explanation; which I discovered today was not true but it will stand as the answer. As we talked I learned that he does not know anything about trees or cutting wood. I explained how the maple he cut would be too green to burn this year and I retreated back to my house to grab the moisture meter to illustrate. A fresh cut showed 40% moisture. I told him to invest in a moisture meter. I also pointed out two dead locust that would most likely be ready to burn since they have been dead for some 50 years or more and standing upright. He was afraid about burning pine thinking it would cause creosote. I brought him over to my pine stack and split a fresh piece where the moisture read 14%.

As we talked, he also indicated he did not know where the property line actually was. The tree he dropped was on his side but he really didn't know that for sure. I showed him about where the property line is located; it was surveyed years ago. I know the corners and told him where they were located so he could get a better idea. They own 14 acres so have plenty of wood that can be cut. I even offered to help him haul it out of the woods with my tractor since all he has is a little lawn tractor.

At the end, I offered to go get my gloves and lend a hand with the brush. He declined my offer so I said goodbye and returned home. He only worked a little on cleaning up the brush and the tree and the brush are still on my side. I am going to finish cleaning up the brush and pile it on his side and call it all good.

As I said earlier, he was not truthful about not meaning to cut the tree across to my side. An examination of the cut shows he made the notch pointing to where the tree landed. It does appear that he may have cut into the hinge and that may have caused the tree to spin as it felled but it was notched to go where it more or less went. The more knowledgeable on here can probably explain how the cut and fell went by the photos. However; as I said, it is all good and that is the end of it.

 

I have a question for the ones that know. Those little circular marks on the first photo; was that from him using the tip of the bar on the cut?

 

Yes. ^
He said he didn't mean to drop the tree on your side, but didn't know where the line was...sounds innocent enough...
I does kinda look like something funny went down with that hinge...but I've seen alot worse looking cuts from a newb too! (me...)

 

Yep, he was in the digging around with it, it appears.

I have a few in the woods I have considered cutting off flush, just so no one will ever see them!

 

Maybe I am wrong, maybe he was trying to cut it in the opposite direction; however, that would be towards his house and I don't see why he would do that. I need to stand the butt cut up on the stump. Could the circular marks be the back cut? I am not going to ask him but I am curious now. I may revisit. I cleaned up the brush and logs out of the road. I have a feeling that he didn't really want to on Sunday. I can see this playing out: "Honey, you need to clean up the brush." "But the game will be on soon." "Doesn't matter, you have to do it." "Oh, OK." She left not soon after we finished our conversation. They have a teenage son that will soon graduate if he has not already done so. I see him often during the day during the week. I have never seen the son do any work of any kind. Maybe once in awhile he will drag the trash bins from the roadside. He wasn't helping Dad clean up brush. When Dad or Mum worked, we worked.

 

I'd say the most annoying part wasn't that he dropped it into your yard, but that he left it there...and continues to leave it there. Like dude come on, that tree could've been cleared before Kimberly even came home and noticed. But yet he left it. and continues to leave it...oh well. To me that's weird, and just not something I'd do.

 

Not me, I am perfect when it comes to dropping trees LOL. Yeah, sure. If that was the back cut and he cut into the hinge and it went backwards; I am glad that it didn't come down on top of him.

 

Sounds like a clear cut case (see what I did there ) of him not knowing quite where the property line was. I'm guessing he really didn't mean to drop it on your property, and I also think he thought he dropped it on his property originally. I bet you never see another tree fall on your side, and neighbor relations are intact.

As mentioned, funny he didn't grab the wood though.

 

Well, it is cleaned up now as I just finished; including getting the rounds out of the road, and when he returns at some point; I don't know why the wood is still on the ground, I told him that it needs to be split and stack to dry; that it will not dry in the round; he will see that I have done it and if he doesn't like where I pile the brush, he can move it. I don't leave brush when I cut on my land. I pile all brush up where it will decay in a few years time. Meanwhile, it is home to critters.

 

No, I don't think that is the case as they have seen me driving the tractor through the road alongside the property many times, both in ploughing the lower garden and in hauling wood. I am now wondering it the tree went backwards on him. That worries me as he needs to learn so he doesn't get hurt.

 

I checked and no, the notch was facing towards my side. It could be that he didn't know the tree would fall as far down the hill as it did. I also think he was trying to use too small a saw and that explains the circular marks, he was digging in tip first. He is going to need a bigger saw as these trees are fairly large. There is plenty of firewood but it isn't small stuff.

 

He was trying to save face. Let him.

 

Yes. If you go back and read my post I said exactly that. I accepted his explanation and all is good. I do wish he had followed through on cleaning up the brush but I took care of that even with a pulled muscle in my side.

 

+1

If my neighbor was a control freak and moved a pile of brush before I had a chance to I sure as heck wouldn't be locking their door for them.

 

Please, let's not start with this BS, OK? The brush and wood was blocking my road for a couple of weeks. Sunday he pretended he was going to clean it up. I offered to help him on Sunday, in case you may have missed that in my post. He refused because he didn't want to do it even though Sunday was a beautiful day for working outside. He was probably just doing face for his wife; when she left he quit. He never came back out the whole day until dark to put away the lawn tractor and cart. I would have helped him load and unload the wood but that was not his intentions.

Finally, the brush (as well as the wood) was on my land so I could move it any time I wanted. LOL. In the end it is all good because I feel that mutual respect was established and I set the tone that I would be willing to help him and his wife when in need by offering to haul wood with my tractor.

 

Also, I have a question for you. Why did you feel it necessary to do the +1 when just below that comment I had already agreed and I stated that in my post I had accepted his explanation even though it was not true? Therefore, there was no need to do a +1 or a X2 or anything like that. It seems to me that some just like to cause a commotion when it is not necessary.

 

For the record I did read your post and thought you did just that and agreed. Just wanted to reinforce your response. Sorry if it came across any other way.
Life is short. You’re doing a great job. Know that.

 

No doubt. BUT, to fell a tree onto someone's property and leave it there for a couple weeks even after realizing it's not on your property is pretty ballsy for a new guy neighbor to do. I moved into my house last year from the city to the burbs and I was ultra considerate of my neighbors for a while. I Still am, but at least now I know they are all super laid back.

 

He mighta left it there to spare himself the lesson on his inferior gloves, and the proper way to pickup and dispose of brush in accordance of his neighbors rules?

Maybe after he got cutting and splitting lessons, he's just waiting on her to knock on the door and show him the proper place to dispose of it...

We will only know what inspector kimberly finds out on her next recon mission where she uncovers the no good kids weekly allowance.

I mean after all, we know his kids lazy, and the man didnt really want to do anything with the tree because the game was on but his wife made him after Kim went over and showed them whos boss!!!


God Im glad I live in the middle of no where, and its not because of the types like the "horrible tree cutting fella" either!

 

Glad you had time to cool off and re-asses your response/reaction.

Now, just let your continuing "investigation" drop also. "I need to stand the butt cut up on the stump"...etc. serves no purpose.

And please stop the mind reading...his wife....he watched the game....his son....

Without telling him how and what to do and what to buy, only offer "If you have any questions, just ask; I am still learning too" would be a great non-confrontational message, no?

Now, you can blast this post if you want to, but these area all suggestions in a good direction.