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Neighbor's Leaves

#1

H

Hershey

We've actually gotten rid of two trees and done a lot to rid our backyard of leaves. The problem now are leaves from the neighbor's oak tree that get in the yard. I mean, my yard right now is full of leaves, and all from their tree. Now, there's nothing they can really do about it, but it is frustrating. I wish there was a leaf catcher or something. When the wind blows, I cringe. Here come the leaves and none of them mine. They get in the pool and everything.


#2

A

AndyMan

Yet another reason to l-o-o-o-o-v-e neighborhoods. Along with pooping dogs, noisy music and fund-raising kids. :rolleyes: (Exactly why I live in the middle of nowhere, with no one around.)

As you say, it is frustrating, and nothing they can really do about it, unless they want to take it down. On the other hand, I'll bet that same tree gives you some awfully nice shade in the summer. :smile:


#3

M

minkyung

There is give and take among neighbors. Sometimes we "lose" sometimes we "win." But in the end both sides win if the relationship is good.

This crossed my mind. I do not know if relevant. An elder Korean I met told me a very good story. During the war (help us pray war won't come back), everyone was poor. His father bit one of his fingers. Then he bit another finger. Then he told his two sons that what could happen to one would be painful to the other because the fingers belong to one hand. But the one who would feel most pain was the hand where the fingers come from.


#4

K

KennyV

There is give and take among neighbors. Sometimes we "lose" sometimes we "win." But in the end both sides win if the relationship is good.

This crossed my mind. I do not know if relevant. An elder Korean I met told me a very good story. During the war (help us pray war won't come back), everyone was poor. His father bit one of his fingers. Then he bit another finger. Then he told his two sons that what could happen to one would be painful to the other because the fingers belong to one hand. But the one who would feel most pain was the hand where the fingers come from.

Very true...
Hopefully more reasonable & rational minds will prevail in your area regarding war... Good Luck...

life is all about learning to get along with your neighbor, regardless of how near or how far he is from you... :smile:KennyV


#5

H

Hershey

I've never said 'boo' to the neighbors about the leaves. It's not in their control and I feel no malice about it at all; it's nature. It's just frustrating. You should see my hard and not one bit of it is from our own trees. As for shade, I wish. When we had an oak tree, it was awesome. We had to cut it and I've always regretted it. The neighbor's tree doesn't help us at all.


#6

K

KennyV

it's nature. It's just frustrating.
.

Mow and mulch it up and into your grass... Hey just view it as a free fertilizer addition to your soil...

Now the leaves in your pool ... that is not much of a plus ... KennyV


#7

H

Hershey

The pool is the more frustrating aspect. We used to cover it but the pool sweep needs to run and it can't do that with a cover on. Plus, the cover just got all yucky.


#8

A

AndyMan

The pool is the more frustrating aspect. We used to cover it but the pool sweep needs to run and it can't do that with a cover on. Plus, the cover just got all yucky.

Could you install some sort of awning? That might protect you from the leaves plus give the added benefit of shade. They make retractable awnings for when you want the sun and the leaves aren't a problem, then crank it out when the leaves start to fall.


#9

K

KennyV

Could you install some sort of awning? That might protect you from the leaves plus give the added benefit of shade. They make retractable awnings for when you want the sun and the leaves aren't a problem, then crank it out when the leaves start to fall.

I don't think anyone makes an awning that will keep leaves away... Perhaps a building... :smile:KennyV
I think seasonal leaves are just going to have to be dealt with ... every season. The joys of life.:wink:


#10

H

Harriet

They are YOUR leaves now. (I'm sure you just loved hearing that...) If the tables were turned, and it was your tree dumping leaves on your neighbor's place, how would you handle it?


#11

H

Hershey

Yeah, that's exactly again why I'm not upset at the neighbor. There's not a lot a person can do short of cutting the tree. It's just that these oaks are very old and tall.


#12

A

AndyMan

I don't think anyone makes an awning that will keep leaves away...

My dad has an awning over his deck. It does a GREAT job of collecting the leaves and keeping them off of his deck. It is angled, so when it rains the rain washes them off of the awning and into long line on the ground where he can easily rake them into the trailer and haul them away.


#13

JDgreen

JDgreen

Yeah, that's exactly again why I'm not upset at the neighbor. There's not a lot a person can do short of cutting the tree. It's just that these oaks are very old and tall.

The people across the road from us have a HUGE, HUGE oak tree. It is probably big enough that 3 average size men could barely hold hands around the base of the trunk. I keep all my leaves cleared, but the people who own the tree never do, and the wind blows them all into the yard next door and mine...my neighbors garage gets filled with them, it faces the road. And the fricking leaves get EVERYPLACE, and I am sick of cleaning them up. Two years ago, I almost went across the road to speak to the guy and ask he clear them up, but I never did. Maybe he was in poor health, or had a bad back, or...that winter was a terrible one, I went over to clear his driveway several times, and help him get unstuck twice. The following fall, the leaves were really bad, I went over and asked if I mulch them up and put them on my garden. Poor man answered the door, wearing a ventilator...he said thank you so much, I am undergoing treatment for lung cancer, I can't do much, and bless you fror your offer.

Well, I cleared the leaves, most of them, and their driveway got cleared that winter at 6 am every bad snow, even before ours, so the couple could get to the hospital where he had to undergo chemo. He died of lung cancer at age 57 early this year. This fall, I went over to handle the leaves again, and offered to keep their driveway clear again for his widow.

When I think of all the times I silently cussed him out for not clearing his leaves, I am ashamed of myself. :eek:


#14

H

Hershey

That's why you have to be careful about making assumptions. We all tend to do it but there are all kinds of reasons for things being as they are.


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