Neighbor's tree(s) a serious problem for me... please help!

[Gardener]

I have skimmed the thread, did anyone mention simply hiring a tree trimmer? A reputable one will likely be aware of the law, and a preliminary discussion might prove illuminating.

Bingo.

Muse, you need clearance pruning along your house and roof. So hire someone good and get it done...you have neither the equipment nor expertise, and there are power lines involved.

 

[Muse]

Bingo.

Muse, you need clearance pruning along your house and roof. So hire someone good and get it done...you have neither the equipment nor expertise, and there are power lines involved.

OK, well, I'll add some info. I may indeed lack the required expertise and equipment to do the job right. But I do have some experience and tools. Also, the lines you see there... Well, the power comes in at the front left and at that point goes right down to the boxes at the side of the building at the front, so the trees don't impact the power. I say "boxes" (plural) because when I moved in here it was officially a two unit structure. During WW II there was a scarcity of housing and the unit was converted to two units, a "lower" and an "upper" unit. After I bought the house and kicked out my house mates, I went through the process of making the house officially a single family dwelling, applying with the city planning department and going through the whole complicated process, including getting signed approval from a host of neighbors (including everyone then living in that apartment building!). However, the power company (PG&E) still "thinks" it's a two unit structure and the two boxes remain on the outside. I can have that changed, either by me or an electrician.

I do have (as I said above) a pole saw, also some ladders. The lines that do pass through the trees, those were active until a few days ago when my telephone/DSL was made moot by virtue of gigabit fiber internet and phones that come in near where the power line comes in (front left), and then passes under the house through the crawl space, then out and up to a 2nd story room where I have my router, etc.

But the fact is, I don't think I'm in a position to trim those trees properly by myself. Maybe some of them, as I've been intending, or at least contemplating. All along I've thought I should talk to some full time tree trimmers/removers and at some point converse with the apartment building owner.
- - - -
"Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche

 

[Gardener]

Its too big a job for a homeowner...you don't have a pruning ladder, and will be dealing with size, weight, liability to your property and the neighbor's, and the scale of cleanup that you don't have practice with.

This isn't a job for a Corona pole pruner + one of those wonder ladders.

 

[NutBucket]

Where there's a will there's a way. I'd give it a shot if it was my tree.

 

[pcgeek11]

Its too big a job for a homeowner...you don't have a pruning ladder, and will be dealing with size, weight, liability to your property and the neighbor's, and the scale of cleanup that you don't have practice with.

This isn't a job for a Corona pole pruner + one of those wonder ladders.

I think that some tree trimming is well withing the ability of a handy person with a pole saw. I'm sure some people may be overcome by a few limbs, but not all.

I had two huge evergreen trees by my house in excess of 45 feet tall. With proper planning my son and I felled and removed them from our property and dug out the stumps and roots. We limbed the tree as far as possible using a pole saw and then used a pulley and rope to guide the tree into the proper location when it was cut with the chain saw.

His trees are not that big and he isn't cutting them down, just pruning them off his house.

 

[Muse]

Its too big a job for a homeowner...you don't have a pruning ladder, and will be dealing with size, weight, liability to your property and the neighbor's, and the scale of cleanup that you don't have practice with.

This isn't a job for a Corona pole pruner + one of those wonder ladders.

You would be amazed at what I have done with what I have. I've taken down a lot of wood and foliage from my plum trees over the years and dealt with it. I have a lot of firewood in boxes!!! The foliage goes in my compost pile, which is under one of the plum trees. I use the compost for my vegetables.

Yes, I've even contemplated removing both of those BIG plum trees from my backyard by myself. That and having it done. Meantime, I have cut them back pretty severely. They aren't exactly a problem now, but they aren't what I want back there.

But yeah, maybe I should contract this out, the problem with my neighbor's tree. That tree has gotten real high... higher than I can reach with my pole saw + ladders, I figure. It's a streeeetch (pun, yeah, but apt).

 

[Muse]

Where there's a will there's a way. I'd give it a shot if it was my tree.

Yeah, it's my M.O. I've done a lot of things most people would never attempt.

But there's a catch here. That dang tree whose pictures are attached in the OP is NOT "my tree!" It's her tree. Yeah, I guess I can do what I want with what's hanging over the fence. Still, maybe best to talk to her first, like my "friend" said (haven't seen that guy in a couple years or more). And/or talk to some pros who know the ropes. I can get estimates/quotes/real-world insight, etc. Just maybe the owner will go 50-50 in paying for removing the tree entirely. That tree's might look pretty weird if a lot of what's on my side of chopped off.

 

[crashtech]

I think the law is basically that you can do what you want with the part on your property, unless what you do kills their tree. Obviously there is a lot of gray area and it can get messy, but that's the basic rule as far as I know.

It's pretty common for people to get injured trimming large trees. I'm pretty handy but do not do anything beyond what I can reach standing on the ground. Ladders, saws, and flexible tree limbs can be a tricky combo.

 

[Muse]

I think the law is basically that you can do what you want with the part on your property, unless what you do kills their tree. Obviously there is a lot of gray area and it can get messy, but that's the basic rule as far as I know.

It's pretty common for people to get injured trimming large trees. I'm pretty handy but do not do anything beyond what I can reach standing on the ground. Ladders, saws, and flexible tree limbs can be a tricky combo.

Yeah. When I bought that pole saw (saw it on sale one day at Costco and bought it on the spot, IIRC, or maybe after going home and doing some research?), I did some online stuff, found out that chainsaws are a major source of grievous injuries and read and read threads about using them. I'm super careful, always cognizant that they're dangerous. I can't remember having anything scary happen. I'm on the original chain, never sharpened, tightened up a bit many times, I lubricate the chain frequently.

But giant thick limbs 15 feet above ground, or 20 feet... that might be a challenge. Anyway, I figure the more I do myself the less I'll have to pay someone else to do. I use my imagination, have actually figured how I can remove the entire smaller plum tree myself. The stump is another issue, but will cross that bridge when I get to it. It would be nice to have another person to maybe pull on a rope as I cut a limb so it falls in the right direction, but there are workarounds for that... basically, tieing a rope and pulling it taught and tieing to something that gives some, has a similar affect.

 

[NutBucket]

Do yourself a favor and either buy a new chain or sharpen your current one. They actually dull rather quickly. I've read you want to sharpen it after every tank of gas. Maybe for your electric every time you need to refill the bar oil.

 

[Muse]

Do yourself a favor and either buy a new chain or sharpen your current one. They actually dull rather quickly. I've read you want to sharpen it after every tank of gas. Maybe for your electric every time you need to refill the bar oil.

I don't usually fill the oil reservoir. Have found it flaky... and messy. When I press the oil release button (tough to do that, requires a lot of force), it makes a mess. Instead I dribble some oil on the metal next to the chain, reorient the saw so the oil dribbles onto the chain and fire it up a second... gets the chain oiled. I stopped using chain oil and now use Canola oil.

I'll need to get a file to sharpen the chain and figure out how to do it. I've done a lot of other sharpening tasks, they don't scare me. I even sharpened my crosscut saw and used a tooth set that I designed and constructed myself (I was really poor in those days! Still have that tooth set, but haven't used it since, or maybe once).
- - - -
The dog starving at his master's gate predicts the ruin of the state. - William Blake

 

[JEDIYoda]

Muse , I know you will figure this out!!
I am just commenting because I wish I had a yard big enough for a tree!!
Best of luck!!

 

[NutBucket]

I bought one of these. Just need to make sure you buy the correct one for the chain you've got. Makes sharpening a breeze.
Pferd 17301Pferd Cs-X Chain Sharp Filing Guide - 3/16" https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B003M4LGPE

 

[esquared]

Its too big a job for a homeowner...you don't have a pruning ladder, and will be dealing with size, weight, liability to your property and the neighbor's, and the scale of cleanup that you don't have practice with.

This isn't a job for a Corona pole pruner + one of those wonder ladders.

This.
That first tree looks dead. Regardless, that's too big to topple yourself.
The second large one behind it looks to be 25-30 feet tall.
Again way too big to do yourself. It needs thinning and crowning.
You need a professional. I am guessing a min of 500 for the crowning/thinning
and the removing of the dead tree and grinding the stump.

 

[Greenman]

I have a Stihl chainsaw, a pole pruner, a 32' tall tower scaffolding, at least 3 extension ladders, and a dump trailer to put the trash in. I still hire a guy to do my trees.

 

[lxskllr]

That looks like a gravy job accessing it from the roof with a pole saw. I'd hardly even give that consideration.

 

[:emaN resU]

Muse,
I was on the opposite side of the fence last year. I live across the bay from you. My neighbor knocked on my door and told me some trees in my backyard were overhanging and ruining his view and maybe his fence. I had no idea - I never go to that part of the yard. I didn't really need to care but why be a bad neighbor? Trimming trees is easy.

I talked to my landscaper and he said I have zero responsibility to trim these trees, and that I should tell him to do it. I did it myself and threw away the limbs in my green waste over the next month.

I trim all my trees at least 2 feet from my roof every year, recommend you do the same.

 

[Muse]

That looks like a gravy job accessing it from the roof with a pole saw. I'd hardly even give that consideration.

Could you clarify? Gravy job? IOW, easy or one for the pros?

 

[lxskllr]

Could you clarify? Gravy job? IOW, easy or one for the pros?

Easy, meaning I wouldn't give much thought to getting on the roof and doing it myself. Main thing is to watch the utility lines, and don't fall off.

 

[Muse]

Easy, meaning I wouldn't give much thought to getting on the roof and doing it myself. Main thing is to watch the utility lines, and don't fall off.

I'll probably do something like that. It'll be a little tricky. There's the utility lines, but actually they may just be the old copper phone lines, which I'm not using anymore. I had gigabit fiber installed almost 2 months ago and that's on the other side of the house. I'll be careful. I've been up on my roof structure maybe 50 times, just lots and lots over the years. But have never brought up anything heavy and cumbersome like a pole saw. I have ladders, though, so maybe won't go out an upstairs window with the saw but put them up there using one of my ladders. But to get on the roof physically, likely go out a window.

I have the extension cords.

 

[Muse]

Before I tackle the trees on the side I need to deal with one of my own trees. One that same side of the house further back is a plum tree which dropped a major bough a couple days ago. Probably 150 pounds. I went outside and it was just sitting on my patio. Miraculously it didn't hurt anything, fell right between everything. I'm going to hack it up with the pole saw (removed from the pole) over the next few days) as the rainy weather clears out. I have more firewood (all from my two plum trees) than I know what to do with. Don't know if I can put it in my green barrel. I wanna remove both my plum trees. The stumps will be the toughest part. Big old trees. May get some pros on that.

 

[lxskllr]

Leave the stumps and put flower pots on them. Easy and cheap

 

[Muse]

Leave the stumps and put flower pots on them. Easy and cheap

Well, might be a termite concern with that. These are pretty big trees, the one that just 1/4 collapsed, not super big, the other, it's pretty damn big. It's been collapsing too. I've cut both back probably by 1/2 over the last 15 years or so. All with that cheap electric pole saw, which I've never sharpened! Gotta figure that one out. It still cuts, though.

 

[Steltek]

Thanks, gotta check City of Berkeley website, I think that info will be there.

Yeah, I was noticing that tree in front looks dead, yesterday. Wasn't sure. I'm color blind, so harder for me to detect that.

I do hear what I figure are squirrels running on my roof, quite possibly getting on from that big tree. Used to have a very serious rats-in-the-attic problem years ago but eventually eliminated that by virtue of placing old fashioned rat traps in there. Must have gotten 15-20 of those critters before they gave up. Haven't seen or heard evidence of rats in the attic since the roof was completely torn off and replaced about 10 years ago.

If you are hearing squirrels running on your roof, you need to get it taken care of ASAP. Otherwise, they will eventually find their way into your attic. And catching squirrels in an attic isn't as easy as catching rats. I can tell you from experience, too, that squirrels just love chewing on electrical wiring...

 

[Muse]

If you are hearing squirrels running on your roof, you need to get it taken care of ASAP. Otherwise, they will eventually find their way into your attic. And catching squirrels in an attic isn't as easy as catching rats. I can tell you from experience, too, that squirrels just love chewing on electrical wiring...

There's plenty of exposed wiring in my attic.