Tree problem

[wildhorseluvr]

I mentioned elsewhere that my neighbor’s trees have branches that grow through his chain link fence and over onto my property a considerable distance. These branches have done a number on the chain link, pulling it off the posts, lifting the fence up, etc. I’d like to put a solid wood fence along that side but am concerned what kind of damage those branches might do, and with his fence and mine back to back, there’ll be no way to trim those branches at all. 

I would dearly love to use some of that Tordon herbicide that Ozarks Tom told me about on those branches but killing the trees probably wouldn’t go over well with the neighbor. So, outside of herbicide, is there anything that could be applied to the cut branches to stop just the branch growth without killing the tree?

[joebill]

If it were me......and it has been me from time to time....I'd give the tree owner a choice between solving the problem himself or letting you solve it the best way you know how......herbicide.

In my case, the neighbor's tree was rubbing on my roof shingles, and I told her the tree needed to either be trimmed back or cut down. She told me I'd have to pay for the trimming if I wanted it done, but when I cranked up the Pioneer chainsaw and set it on the side of the trunk, getting ready to cut the notch, she decided she would rather pay for the trimming than have the tree dumped in her yard.

If YOUR dog was tearing up HIS fence, he would want YOU to solve the problem.....right?.....Joe

[farmrbrown]

I don't know. You mentioned they were trimmed back once recently, (I think)?
If not, take a pole saw and do it now, then see there's something you can spray on the freshly cut "stubs" that will prevent/retard growth, like a paste or tar, something like that.
If all else fails, I've heard the 'old school' way to slowly and secretly get rid of nuisance trees is copper spikes. I'd bet the roots are growing on your side of the fence so there shouldn't be any problem in driving a few in the ground next time you're outside gardening.


www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=prevent+tree+branches+from+growing+back&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

[Jolly]

Laws vary from state to state. You need to know what you can do and what you can't do.

[joebill]

Makes me wonder if girdling a single limb would work the same as girdling a whole tree?.....Joe

[wildhorseluvr]

In just about any state, you’re entitled to trim back anything hanging over the property line, but you can’t cut on your neighbor’s side or damage the tree itself. The trunk is (just barely)on his side, and I don’t want to get sued for killing the tree. Plus the (large) tree is leaning toward my house…certainly don’t want it dying and falling on my house. So I’m stuck dealing with only the branches coming across the fence. 

I was kinda thinking like farmrbrown, cut the branches and spray or seal them with something that will prevent regrowth. Don’t know if there is such a product.

[farmrbrown]

Yep there is. Search thru that link I posted.