Take a strong stance with pushy neighbours

Dear Annie: Our next door neighbours, the “Johnsons,” must hate trees.

Our neighbourhood is full of beautiful mature trees. When the Johnsons purchased their home, they immediately cut down every tree in their yard.

Last year, they complained about some branches hanging over their property line and a few that were over their house — not touching their house, however.

Our city code says we aren’t required to trim them.

But being good neighbours, we contracted a licensed tree trimmer.

He asked to park his truck in the neighbours’ driveway, which he said would reduce the bill by 50 per cent. We told him to knock on the door and ask before starting.

The tree trimmer showed up and was working when Mr. Johnson came out and told him to move the truck because it had been on his driveway too long.

The project was halted. Fast-forward one month. Mr. Johnson again complains about our tree. We told him that we had used up our treetrimming budget for that year. He said he knows we have more money than that.

Fast-forward a few more months. We have dogwood trees in the corner of our yard and found they were stuffed full of twigs, branches and string. My husband cleaned it out.

Forty-five minutes later, the entire Johnson family (mom, dad and two boys) was on our front step. Mrs. Johnson said her nine-year-old son was so sad that his fort had been taken down.

What should we do here? I’m voting for a fence. Midwestern Nana

Dear Midwestern: I’d like for you to tell this family to go climb a tree, but you do have to live next to them for the next who-knows-how-many years, so it’s best to stay somewhat amicable.

It sounds as if they have an overgrown sense of entitlement. The best way to nip that in the bud is to respond with strength. Refuse to acquiesce to unreasonable demands or apologize for things that aren’t your fault.

Explain that you only hired a tree trimmer in the first place because you wanted to be neighbourly — emphasizing that, in fact, the city code doesn’t require you to trim them and that you won’t be doing so.

As for the issue of their children climbing your trees: If one of them were to fall and get injured, you might be legally liable — and something tells me the Johnsons would have no qualms about suing. Tell the parents not to allow the children in your yard.

If it keeps happening, a fence may be necessary.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. To find out more about Annie Lane and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at creators.com.