There are very few things as frustrating as unexpected home maintenance costs. From broken appliances that require a service call to major issues like damage to a roof, those expensive bills can shock even the most budget-savvy homeowner, leaving them with a surprise bill.
For one Toledo, Ohio, man, the frustration of unexpected repair bills has been exacerbated by the fact that the source of his troubles is coming from a neighbor’s yard.
Don Bell told WTVG 13 Action News about how a tree on his neighbor’s property (which is actually one street away from Bell’s property) has been dropping dead branches on his side of the fence, costing him hundreds of dollars in damage.
Now, he’s looking for someone to take responsibility and cut the tree down before the falling branches cause any further damage… or worse.
Bell Says He Has Been Dealing With the Issue for ‘Quite Some Time’
Falling branches have been plaguing Bell for several years now, according to WTVG 13 Action News, and it doesn’t seem like it will get any better anytime soon.
“It’s been a pain in the butt for quite some time, you know?” Bell told the reporter. “The older the tree gets, the worse it gets, and it’s done a lot of damage to the back of my yard, my neighbors’, and nothing is getting done about it.” He then showed off photos of some of the damage he claimed the falling limbs have done over the years.
“I had an almost brand-new swing out there that’s destroyed. I got a wheelbarrow that was destroyed,” Bell continued. “It was just smashed from the tree coming down. Then, I had a fire pit for burning wood out back; that’s gone.”
It’s Not Just His Property That He’s Worried About
While the financial burden is certainly important, Bell says he’s worried about more than just the money, telling the outlet that he’s afraid that the entire tree could eventually come down. “It’s scary, man,” Bell said. “You never know what’s going to happen.”
He says he’s reached out to the neighbors, but they were unable to help him because they were just renting, and he’s been unable to reach the owner of the property. That prompted him to call the City of Toledo, which told him that they couldn’t do anything about the tree.
And according to legal experts who spoke with Homes & Gardens about pruning your neighbor’s tree, Bell’s hands may be tied legally as well. That’s because different municipalities have different rules about whether you’re allowed to prune the branches of your neighbor’s tree. And while some say that you’re allowed to trim branches that hang over your yard, there are some nuances that are important to research.
For example, some places may only permit you to cut the tree back to the property line without any restrictions, while others may require you to notify the property owner before you start to trim. If you find yourself in a situation like Bell, it’s important to do some research to find out what the local laws state in your area before taking action.