Psycho Neighbor Hates Palms

[AzulPalmsAZ]

Hi All,

looking for thoughts from palm lovers. I live in an HOA where rules on trimming palm trunks and flowers is not defined. My neighbor previously has issued me a letter and tried to cut the flowers off my Mexican fan palms in the past. Today he is complaining that the trunks are not skinned to the top. 
 

I sent him a picture of many other palms in the neighborhood who’s trunk has never been skinned and suggested he contact the HOA with his concerns.

Am i out of line here? Below are the pictures of the trees he’s complaining about. I am concerned he is now going to try to damage my trees. I am very upset and think they look great. Any thoughts on how to proceed would be appreciated. 

[Xerarch]

Dude those palms look great, this is the one of the exact reasons I don’t live in an HOA, can’t stand them. 

[AzulPalmsAZ]

1 minute ago, Xerarch said:

Dude those palms look great, this is the one of the exact reasons I don’t live in an HOA, can’t stand them. 

Thank you! HOA doesn’t have an issue as far as I know, it’s pretty common in Arizona for heavy winds to cause debris in yards. 
 

I want to write to the HOA expressing my worries he is going to kill my trees and he is way out of line.

However I have faith in palm talk and expect the experience of this forum to have a similar experience and can give me a good shot of wisdom on how to deal with this
 

 

[idontknowhatnametuse]

They look good and well trimmed in my opinion

[AzulPalmsAZ]

1 minute ago, idontknowhatnametuse said:

They look good and well trimmed in my opinion

Appreciate the perspective very much! 

[Xerarch]

32 minutes ago, AzulPalmsAZ said:

Thank you! HOA doesn’t have an issue as far as I know, it’s pretty common in Arizona for heavy winds to cause debris in yards. 
 

I want to write to the HOA expressing my worries he is going to kill my trees and he is way out of line.

However I have faith in palm talk and expect the experience of this forum to have a similar experience and can give me a good shot of wisdom on how to deal with this
 

 

Yeah I realize the particular issue in question has to do with a neighbor and not exactly HOA rules. It just seems like this is the kind of person that loves living in an HOA where there are all kinds of rules. 

The general consensus among most reasonable neighbors is that you plant what you want in your yard and me in mine, if your trees hang over the fence into my yard I can cut off those branches at the property line if I so desire. My neighbor cuts my crape Myrtle branches that go over into his yard, I cut my other neighbors’ Chinese tallow that hangs over into mine. I also deal with whatever debris from neighboring trees falls into my yard and vice versa and nobody ever says anything.  

I can understand the pool issue and everything but I would just accept that that comes with the territory of having a pool. I would never expect a neighbor to constantly trim palms so that no debris ever falls into my yard. That’s just not reasonable, your palms look tidy enough for reasonable expectations. 

[AzulPalmsAZ]

1 minute ago, Xerarch said:

Yeah I realize the particular issue in question has to do with a neighbor and not exactly HOA rules. It just seems like this is the kind of person that loves living in an HOA where there are all kinds of rules. 

The general consensus among most reasonable neighbors is that you plant what you want in your yard and me in mine, if your trees hang over the fence into my yard I can cut off those branches at the property line if I so desire. My neighbor cuts my crape Myrtle branches that go over into his yard, I cut my other neighbors’ Chinese tallow that hangs over into mine. I also deal with whatever debris from neighboring trees falls into my yard and vice versa and nobody ever says anything.  

I can understand the pool issue and everything but I would just accept that that comes with the territory of having a pool. I would never expect a neighbor to constantly trim palms so that no debris ever falls into my yard. That’s just not reasonable, your palms look tidy enough for reasonable expectations. 

That was well said and I really appreciate and agree with your opinion. Thank you 

[Tracy]

1 hour ago, AzulPalmsAZ said:

Hi All,

looking for thoughts from palm lovers. I live in an HOA where rules on trimming palm trunks and flowers is not defined. My neighbor previously has issued me a letter and tried to cut the flowers off my Mexican fan palms in the past. Today he is complaining that the trunks are not skinned to the top. 
 

I sent him a picture of many other palms in the neighborhood who’s trunk has never been skinned and suggested he contact the HOA with his concerns.

Am i out of line here? Below are the pictures of the trees he’s complaining about. I am concerned he is now going to try to damage my trees. I am very upset and think they look great. Any thoughts on how to proceed would be appreciated. 

I have a slightly different perspective.   No HOA where I live, but my neighbor has a pair of old Washies right over the fence so I know the mess all too well. Seedlings popping up like I seeded for grass, shedding leaves onto my yard and old brittle flower stalks during Santa Ana wind events.  Trimming the seed stalks off periodically is just a nice thing to do for yourself and neighbors in the shed zone

  It does look like you have had the trunks cleaned in the past so periodically cleaning the remainder when removing flower stalks wouldn't be much additional work.  Yes the palm may be growing in your yard,but if the mess is shared with your neighbor it isn't too much to ask to do a little preventative maintenance to appease your neighbor.   I am not suggesting a pineapple cut, just those retained leaf bases below the attached limbs removed periodically.   Good luck with maintaining a good relationship with your neighbor. 

[D Palm]

Looks fine, I wouldn’t let it get to you. If he did anything to your palm on your property there is civil repercussions I would imagine. I know in Florida, if a neighbors tree, bush, etc. is growing over into your yard, you can trim it up to the property line.
 

A psycho neighbor behind me a while back started cutting down bushes and Pines on mine and another neighbors property.  She was way out of line and told her to stop before we called the law. Probably varies for your location though.

Edited October 10, 2022 by D Palm

[aztropic]

It's a neighbor thing. HOA has nothing to do with it and they will never get involved no matter how much he complains. As a good neighbor that received notice of debris falling from your tree, 1, definitely get the tree trimmed every year early July to remove all the flowers. The dozens of sheaths it drops during the flowering process are very annoying to others,not to mention the dropping of a bazillion seeds which comes next.While the tree trimmer is up there,have him remove as many loose boots as he can. At that point,you've done everything possible to mitigate the problem. Point out to the neighbor that the tree is professionally trimmed every July. If he would like to pay for any additional work, you will allow and supervise any additional work at his expense. That's how I would handle it.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[AzulPalmsAZ]

2 minutes ago, aztropic said:

It's a neighbor thing. HOA has nothing to do with it and they will never get involved no matter how much he complains. As a good neighbor that received notice of debris falling from your tree, 1, definitely get the tree trimmed every year early July to remove all the flowers. The dozens of sheaths it drops during the flowering process are very annoying to others,not to mention the dropping of a bazillion seeds which comes next.While the tree trimmer is up there,have him remove as many loose boots as he can. At that point,you've done everything possible to mitigate the problem. Point out to the neighbor that the tree is professionally trimmed every July. If he would like to pay for any additional work, you will allow and supervise any additional work at his expense. That's how I would handle it.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

These are excellent suggestions. Thank you very much for your input 

[AzulPalmsAZ]

29 minutes ago, Tracy said:

I have a slightly different perspective.   No HOA where I live, but my neighbor has a pair of old Washies right over the fence so I know the mess all too well. Seedlings popping up like I seeded for grass, shedding leaves onto my yard and old brittle flower stalks during Santa Ana wind events.  Trimming the seed stalks off periodically is just a nice thing to do for yourself and neighbors in the shed zone

  It does look like you have had the trunks cleaned in the past so periodically cleaning the remainder when removing flower stalks wouldn't be much additional work.  Yes the palm may be growing in your yard,but if the mess is shared with your neighbor it isn't too much to ask to do a little preventative maintenance to appease your neighbor.   I am not suggesting a pineapple cut, just those retained leaf bases below the attached limbs removed periodically.   Good luck with maintaining a good relationship with your neighbor. 

Maybe I need to clarify there are no seed pods those have been long gone as I have had these trees trimmed twice professionally this year. 
 

the topic of discussion is related to skinning the trunks of the palms. 

[96720]

It looks like the palm trimmers could do a better job of removing the boots if you have them trimmed twice a year they should have a lot more boots removed!!

[Looking Glass]

I think you should do everything you can to be a good neighbor.  If I got this notice, I'd have a tree trimmer up there ASAP to try to remove any extra boots, as long as it isn't harming the tree.  I've got a neighbor who is a real A-hole and doesn't trim seed pods and trees within reason.   His junk makes a huge mess in my pool and backyard.  

I'd never let this happen to my neighbors.   Try to be a good neighbor and go the extra mile.  It sucks to clean up your neighbors mess.   Trust me.  I do it all the time.   I go into my other neighbor's front yard and time her seed pods and dead fronds with a pole saw once a month at least.  She is elderly and appreciates it.  She makes me lasagna in return.  Be a good neighbor.  Go above and beyond.  Be the better person, and the better neighbor.    

Edited October 10, 2022 by Looking Glass

[Palmfarmer]

9 hours ago, aztropic said:

It's a neighbor thing. HOA has nothing to do with it and they will never get involved no matter how much he complains. As a good neighbor that received notice of debris falling from your tree, 1, definitely get the tree trimmed every year early July to remove all the flowers. The dozens of sheaths it drops during the flowering process are very annoying to others,not to mention the dropping of a bazillion seeds which comes next.While the tree trimmer is up there,have him remove as many loose boots as he can. At that point,you've done everything possible to mitigate the problem. Point out to the neighbor that the tree is professionally trimmed every July. If he would like to pay for any additional work, you will allow and supervise any additional work at his expense. That's how I would handle it.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

sounds like a great plan. I am not from the states but exactly how does HOA work? Is there usually only HOAs in gated cormunites? 
I would hate to live in a place that I own and have others tell dictate and nitpick about things in my garden.

[aztropic]

26 minutes ago, Palmfarmer said:

sounds like a great plan. I am not from the states but exactly how does HOA work? Is there usually only HOAs in gated cormunites? 
I would hate to live in a place that I own and have others tell dictate and nitpick about things in my garden.

HOA could be any planned community - not just gated. Before buying a house in an HOA governed community,you will be provided their rules,which you have to agree to abide by by signing,before you purchase. If you see when reading that you most likely will be violating some of the stated rules - best not to buy as HOA has law on their side and lots of power to enforce their rules that you agreed to before buying. Plant wise,many HOA's have a restrictive approved plant list for front yard plantings,greatly limiting what you can plant in your own yard.

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[Tracy]

On 10/10/2022 at 7:00 AM, aztropic said:

Plant wise,many HOA's have a restrictive approved plant list for front yard plantings,greatly limiting what you can plant in your own yard.

All accurate, although the degree of control the HOA has depends on its initial covenants as well as who is currently active on the HOA board, or the management company involved.  My Carlsbad house has an HOA, primarily due to common facilities (pool, basketball court, and some common area strips along the borders of the development).  The actual covenants have no restrictions on specific plants, however, one does need to submit plans for any changes to one's home or landscaping.  In the case of landscaping, we had to get adjacent neighbor's signatures acknowledging, but not approving of landscaping/hardscaping we were proposing.  This allowed the neighbor to know in advance and weigh in with the board if something was going to directly impact their property.

As pointed out, mine is less extreme, while others can be very draconian, with plant lists.  Probably the biggest change in much of the southwest, was when water districts started encouraging people to remove and replace grass areas to more drought tolerant landscapes.  HOA's that required grass were being overrode by the local water districts, but not without a fight in some cases. 

Going back to the original post the issue of the retained boots coming off and making a mess in a neighbor's yard isn't an insurmountable problem to resolve.  Since our friend AzulPalms is already having the flower stalks removed as well as old leaves, removing the retained boots that are dry and soon to fall on their own would be any easy task for the person that prunes the palms.  Better to have peace with the neighbor and never give the HOA a reason to insert their noses into the matter.

[Merlyn]

30 minutes ago, Tracy said:

Since our friend AzulPalms is already having the flower stalks removed as well as old leaves, removing the retained boots that are dry and soon to fall on their own would be any easy task for the person that prunes the palms.  Better to have peace with the neighbor and never give the HOA a reason to insert their noses into the matter.

To me this is key.  If you are regularly pruning off dead/dying fronds, why not just yank off the old boots at the same time?  It should be trivially easy, maybe only needing a razor knife if there are a few strands still attached.

[IHB1979]

It looks like you take great care of your palms.  All great suggestions so far. I guess I'm confused by your title, "Psycho Neighbor Hates Palms." I don't think you could ask for a more polite text from a frustrated neighbor who's reaching out to you for a solution.  

I can identify with your neighbor, I had large coconuts near my pool, months after trimming, old boots would drop and it always included A LOT of material that looks like compost. The boots fall onto the pavers and into the pool. Shortly there after my pool chemicals would be messed up. It also stains the pavers and pool floor if it's not cleaned up quickly. These were my own palm boots falling and I was frustrated, if these were from a neighbor's tree I would have been looking for a solution like your neighbor.

[AzulPalmsAZ]

4 hours ago, IHB1979 said:

It looks like you take great care of your palms.  All great suggestions so far. I guess I'm confused by your title, "Psycho Neighbor Hates Palms." I don't think you could ask for a more polite text from a frustrated neighbor who's reaching out to you for a solution.  

I can identify with your neighbor, I had large coconuts near my pool, months after trimming, old boots would drop and it always included A LOT of material that looks like compost. The boots fall onto the pavers and into the pool. Shortly there after my pool chemicals would be messed up. It also stains the pavers and pool floor if it's not cleaned up quickly. These were my own palm boots falling and I was frustrated, if these were from a neighbor's tree I would have been looking for a solution like your neighbor.

Great question I should’ve provided this context. This has been an ongoing issue in which he has expressed to me he dislikes palm trees and there is a reason he doesn’t have them.  Tries to make fun of my yard to my face. He has crossed into my property and has cut down flowers and fronds from my palms that do not encroach his property without my permission. I understand the flowers are annoying but forgive me for thinking they are beautiful and would like to see them for a week or two.  I would’ve potentially accepted cutting flowers stalks but cutting new healthy fronds I have an issue. I have had multiple talks with him about how it is not healthy to cut entirely green fronds off the trees and they need the fronds for nutrients. I have expressed that it is not acceptable to enter my backyard and cut my trees without my permission. I think any neighbor who thinks they have the right to do that is a bit on the psychotic end. 
 

I have already bent over backwards and got my palms trimmed a second time this year to accommodate him and have addressed continuous complaints about items.  I have worked extremely hard to get my yard and trees in the condition they are. This has been a big focus for me as I have fallen in love with palms and gardening. I do not appreciate being attacked and told I do not maintain my yard. That is completely false and is insulting. Driving around my entire HOA I  couldn’t find examples of trees that had trunks trimmed to the height of mine. Sure they may not look great to everyone here, but I have paid substantial money to actually try to clean the trunk and the improvements are substantial from when I bought my home two years ago. 
 

Agree with always trying to be a good neighbor but when you continuously complain about items that have been addressed to a level that surpass any other yards in the street, it becomes unreasonable At some point you have to make a stand.  I don’t believe it is fair to meet all demands from anyone who asks. Up until this point from me fulfilling on command I may have provided false expectation that I will do whatever is asked. 
 

Appreciate all the suggestions everyone has offered. Perspective from other folks who care about their yard is extremely helpful. 
 

[idontknowhatnametuse]

21 minutes ago, AzulPalmsAZ said:

Great question I should’ve provided this context. This has been an ongoing issue in which he has expressed to me he dislikes palm trees and there is a reason he doesn’t have them.  Tries to make fun of my yard to my face. He has crossed into my property and has cut down flowers and fronds from my palms that do not encroach his property without my permission. I understand the flowers are annoying but forgive me for thinking they are beautiful and would like to see them for a week or two.  I would’ve potentially accepted cutting flowers stalks but cutting new healthy fronds I have an issue. I have had multiple talks with him about how it is not healthy to cut entirely green fronds off the trees and they need the fronds for nutrients. I have expressed that it is not acceptable to enter my backyard and cut my trees without my permission. I think any neighbor who thinks they have the right to do that is a bit on the psychotic end. 
 

I have already bent over backwards and got my palms trimmed a second time this year to accommodate him and have addressed continuous complaints about items.  I have worked extremely hard to get my yard and trees in the condition they are. This has been a big focus for me as I have fallen in love with palms and gardening. I do not appreciate being attacked and told I do not maintain my yard. That is completely false and is insulting. Driving around my entire HOA I  couldn’t find examples of trees that had trunks trimmed to the height of mine. Sure they may not look great to everyone here, but I have paid substantial money to actually try to clean the trunk and the improvements are substantial from when I bought my home two years ago. 
 

Agree with always trying to be a good neighbor but when you continuously complain about items that have been addressed to a level that surpass any other yards in the street, it becomes unreasonable At some point you have to make a stand.  I don’t believe it is fair to meet all demands from anyone who asks. Up until this point from me fulfilling on command I may have provided false expectation that I will do whatever is asked. 
 

Appreciate all the suggestions everyone has offered. Perspective from other folks who care about their yard is extremely helpful. 
 

Plant some Acrocomias, that'll keep him out.

[AzulPalmsAZ]

5 hours ago, Merlyn said:

To me this is key.  If you are regularly pruning off dead/dying fronds, why not just yank off the old boots at the same time?  It should be trivially easy, maybe only needing a razor knife if there are a few strands still attached.

As someone who is fairly new to palms this is helpful information. In my neighborhood it’s extremely common to see large Washingtonians that have never been skinned or if so there is still 15-20 feet of old boots. Relatively I still stand by my opinion my trees are well trimmed across the board 
 I paid to have multiple feet of trunk skinned this year but could not afford to go all the way to the top. I made this choice because I wanted to and had nothing to do with any non existent requirement. The trimmers I have used charge separately for this service and I paid for as much as I could afford this year. 

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, AzulPalmsAZ said:

Great question I should’ve provided this context. This has been an ongoing issue in which he has expressed to me he dislikes palm trees and there is a reason he doesn’t have them.  Tries to make fun of my yard to my face. He has crossed into my property and has cut down flowers and fronds from my palms that do not encroach his property without my permission. I understand the flowers are annoying but forgive me for thinking they are beautiful and would like to see them for a week or two.  I would’ve potentially accepted cutting flowers stalks but cutting new healthy fronds I have an issue. I have had multiple talks with him about how it is not healthy to cut entirely green fronds off the trees and they need the fronds for nutrients. I have expressed that it is not acceptable to enter my backyard and cut my trees without my permission. I think any neighbor who thinks they have the right to do that is a bit on the psychotic end. 
 

I have already bent over backwards and got my palms trimmed a second time this year to accommodate him and have addressed continuous complaints about items.  I have worked extremely hard to get my yard and trees in the condition they are. This has been a big focus for me as I have fallen in love with palms and gardening. I do not appreciate being attacked and told I do not maintain my yard. That is completely false and is insulting. Driving around my entire HOA I  couldn’t find examples of trees that had trunks trimmed to the height of mine. Sure they may not look great to everyone here, but I have paid substantial money to actually try to clean the trunk and the improvements are substantial from when I bought my home two years ago. 
 

Agree with always trying to be a good neighbor but when you continuously complain about items that have been addressed to a level that surpass any other yards in the street, it becomes unreasonable At some point you have to make a stand.  I don’t believe it is fair to meet all demands from anyone who asks. Up until this point from me fulfilling on command I may have provided false expectation that I will do whatever is asked. 
 

Appreciate all the suggestions everyone has offered. Perspective from other folks who care about their yard is extremely helpful. 
 

Your neighbor sounds like someone who lives next door to my grandparent's house in San Jose.. 

When they first moved in, they were pleasant and there were no issues.. We even came together regarding issues with trees planted by the city decades ago that  were lifting the sidewalk and dropping Acorns everywhere.

After the husband passed, the wife's attitude changed big time..  She started nosing her way into everything regarding the yard since she despised any flowers / leaves that would blow into her yard.. She would also put her trash in my grandparent's trash cans, which were inside their back fence.  She'd also complain whenever my Nieces / Nephew ..other grand kids visiting would race up and down the sidewalk in front of her house while playing outside. She also complained whenever we had family get togethers - too many cars..

After we left the area, she has come onto my grandparent's property repeatedly just to complain about this or that. My grandma is 99.  I'm glad i'm not there because that would have stopped immediately.

She went to the extreme of remodeling her home so that every inch of space in the front is concrete and/ or an addition to the garage.



...Essentially, while everyone should be neighborly, -within reason,  like you said, there is a point where you have to put your foot down, and not just cower and/or let nonsense like that go unresolved.

No way in H>>> i'd pay one penny to appease a neighbor like that..  If your attention to the reasonable maintenance of any messier things isn't reasonable in the view of a knit picky neighbor's satisfaction,  tell them to deal with it.  Plain and simple.  ..And to stay off your property.

  Don't even get me going about HOA's, haha..  You'll never see me anywhere near one.

[AzulPalmsAZ]

32 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Your neighbor sounds like someone who lives next door to my grandparent's house in San Jose.. 

When they first moved in, they were pleasant and there were no issues.. We even came together regarding issues with trees planted by the city decades ago that  were lifting the sidewalk and dropping Acorns everywhere.

After the husband passed, the wife's attitude changed big time..  She started nosing her way into everything regarding the yard since she despised any flowers / leaves that would blow into her yard.. She would also put her trash in my grandparent's trash cans, which were inside their back fence.  She'd also complain whenever my Nieces / Nephew ..other grand kids visiting would race up and down the sidewalk in front of her house while playing outside. She also complained whenever we had family get togethers - too many cars..

After we left the area, she has come onto my grandparent's property repeatedly just to complain about this or that. My grandma is 99.  I'm glad i'm not there because that would have stopped immediately.

She went to the extreme of remodeling her home so that every inch of space in the front is concrete and/ or an addition to the garage.



...Essentially, while everyone should be neighborly, -within reason,  like you said, there is a point where you have to put your foot down, and not just cower and/or let nonsense like that go unresolved.

No way in H>>> i'd pay one penny to appease a neighbor like that..  If your attention to the reasonable maintenance of any messier things isn't reasonable in the view of a knit picky neighbor's satisfaction,  tell them to deal with it.  Plain and simple.  ..And to stay off your property.

  Don't even get me going about HOA's, haha..  You'll never see me anywhere near one.

Thanks so much for sharing the story and thoughts on the matter. We are certainly in nit pick territory but you have reminded me things could be much worse! 

[Silas_Sancona]

Just now, AzulPalmsAZ said:

Thanks so much for sharing the story and thoughts on the matter. We are certainly in nit pick territory but you have reminded me things could be much worse! 

 Very true..  Hopefully your neighborly situation doesn't go as far as it did with my Grandparent's neighbor, lol  ..I think she's settled down more lately.

Have family friends in Vista who live on 2 acres.. They were dealing with a neighbor who'd hang around part of the property line at times and complain that someone was playing their music too loud, in their backyard, during the day.   Unfortunately, unreasonable / just plain "odd"  folks are everywhere.  Never understood why they'd want to live somewhere where they'd have deal with what they don't like.

..Its disappointing that some people choose to interact with others in such a manner but as long as you're doing the best you can to be a good neighbor,  that is all that matters. No one should have to go well beyond their basic consideration of.. and tolerance for the overblown / beyond reasonable requests made by such a person. 



 

[AzulPalmsAZ]

5 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

 Very true..  Hopefully your neighborly situation doesn't go as far as it did with my Grandparent's neighbor, lol  ..I think she's settled down more lately.

Have family friends in Vista who live on 2 acres.. They were dealing with a neighbor who'd hang around part of the property line at times and complain that someone was playing their music too loud, in their backyard, during the day.   Unfortunately, unreasonable / just plain "odd"  folks are everywhere.  Never understood why they'd want to live somewhere where they'd have deal with what they don't like.

..Its disappointing that some people choose to interact with others in such a manner but as long as you're doing the best you can to be a good neighbor,  that is all that matters. No one should have to go well beyond their basic consideration of.. and tolerance for the overblown / beyond reasonable requests made by such a person. 



 

Yeah that’s a fact unusual folks around that have particular expectations are everywhere and it’s a part of life to deal with it. I’m sure I am odd to others who wonder why my palms don’t receive the common hurricane treatment. 

I accept different opinions and everyone’s right to quiet enjoyment of their own property. I do feel I have done everything I can do within reason to maintain my yard and palms without spending funds outside of my budget. 

Sadly the yards behind me and next to me have much more mature palms than exist on my property.  I clean up the debris in my pool regularly form their palms as they do for mine. If you own a pool in AZ and after heavy storms pass it is part of maintaining your own property and pool.
If anyone around you has palms I would expect something in your pool, it’s a fact of life. Most people have palms in AZ but my neighbor is an exception. in my mind an undue hardship on my neighbor to demand to remove the possibility of debris falling in your yard. I may not even believe it is possible but if it is it would cost more than most people can afford.  I have asked a few locals their opinion on this matter and they think this is a part of living in AZ.

[96720]

I’m glad I basically have no neighbors my jungle is NOT maintained I like it like that the only neighbor behind me just doesn’t talk and that’s fine at least they don’t complain!!!

[Silas_Sancona]

18 minutes ago, AzulPalmsAZ said:

I accept different opinions and everyone’s right to quiet enjoyment of their own property. I do feel I have done everything I can do within reason to maintain my yard and palms without spending funds outside of my budget. 

Sadly the yards behind me and next to me have much more mature palms than exist on my property.  I clean up the debris in my pool regularly form their palms as they do for mine. If you own a pool in AZ and after heavy storms pass it is part of maintaining your own property and pool.
If anyone around you has palms I would expect something in your pool, it’s a fact of life. Most people have palms in AZ but my neighbor is an exception. in my mind an undue hardship on my neighbor to demand to remove the possibility of debris falling in your yard. I may not even believe it is possible but if it is it would cost more than most people can afford.  I have asked a few locals their opinion on this matter and they think this is a part of living in AZ.

Yep, this is the truth..  ..and can be applied to -anything- that sheds leaves, flowers, or seeds at different times of the year..  I don't have any Washingtonia in our yard, nor a pool but there are plenty of specimens in the neighborhood / several in the street island and even when trimmed,  missed flower stalks or loose boots left behind will blow into the yard at times. As you said, just a part of life here, ..or where ever palms are common in landscapes. I expect to clean up wayward boots each summer.

Your palms are trimmed better than the ones in my street island that whomever the city of Chandler has maintaining them, maintains them..  They usually leave a lot of boots behind after doing the annual pre-monsoon season hurricane cut. In that situation, those loose boots that come off like chunks of roof shingles during the bigger storms are a direct traffic hazard and yes, i've seen near accidents happen as drivers swerve to avoid the debris, or it gets stuck under a passing car itself..  In that case, those specimens should be kept as " Boot Free " as possible.

That isn't your situation however and your neighbor should appreciate what you do to keep your specimen(s) tidy, and not expect, let alone demand, anything more. 

I can only imagine how that neighbor would respond if you ..or another nearby neighbor's yard, were full of mature Palo Verde.  Admit that witnessing how such a person would respond to clouds of P.V. flowers drifting into their yard might be worth the bag of popcorn though. Karma perhaps?  lol

[AzulPalmsAZ]

3 minutes ago, 96720 said:

I’m glad I basically have no neighbors my jungle is NOT maintained I like it like that the only neighbor behind me just doesn’t talk and that’s fine at least they don’t complain!!!

You sir have it made!  I have true jealousy of your property and jungle anyway, then factor in that you completely sidestep this type of nonsense, the exceptionality of you’re property is off the charts! After seeing your amazing jungle I have a vision for what type of property to pursue in AZ.  I imagine you stay plenty busy cleaning up debris in your water features though  

[AzulPalmsAZ]

8 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Yep, this is the truth..  ..and can be applied to -anything- that sheds leaves, flowers, or seeds at different times of the year..  I don't have any Washingtonia in our yard, nor a pool but there are plenty of specimens in the neighborhood / several in the street island and even when trimmed,  missed flower stalks or loose boots left behind will blow into the yard at times. As you said, just a part of life here, ..or where ever palms are common in landscapes. I expect to clean up wayward boots each summer.

Your palms are trimmed better than the ones in my street island that whomever the city of Chandler has maintaining them, maintains them..  They usually leave a lot of boots behind after doing the annual pre-monsoon season hurricane cut. In that situation, those loose boots that come off like chunks of roof shingles during the bigger storms are a direct traffic hazard and yes, i've seen near accidents happen as drivers swerve to avoid the debris, or it gets stuck under a passing car itself..  In that case, those specimens should be kept as " Boot Free " as possible.

That isn't your situation however and your neighbor should appreciate what you do to keep your specimen(s) tidy, and not expect, let alone demand, anything more. 

I can only imagine how that neighbor would respond if you ..or another nearby neighbor's yard, were full of mature Palo Verde.  Admit that witnessing how such a person would respond to clouds of P.V. flowers drifting into their yard might be worth the bag of popcorn though. Karma perhaps?  lol

You bring up an very interesting point. Speaking of Palo Verde trees you wouldn’t believe who has one! My nitpicky neighbor….

[Silas_Sancona]

1 minute ago, AzulPalmsAZ said:

You bring up an very interesting point. Speaking of Palo Verde trees you wouldn’t believe who has one! My nitpicky neighbor….

🤣 Gotta love the irony, right?  

[Chester B]

I've had some bad neighbors before.  I once had a wood pile that was a couple feet below the fence right near it.  I put a tarp over top to protect from rain/snow.  My neighbor came out one day enraged that I had a put a tarp over my small wood pile, she was so upset that she had to "look at it" and that it would be even worse when "snow fell on it".   I didn't really say much as she was going off because it just didn't compute in my brain that this was actually happening.    After I went inside and processed what happened, I went out the next day and bought three large junipers and planted them between the wood pile and the fence as "I don't want to see your face again".  The thing is they had a deck that was elevated about 4' high that ran have the length of our shared fenceline so that that whenever they were on there (which was all the time) they were looking down in our yard.  Like did they ever think that perhaps the problem was their deck and not the other way around.  We never spoke after that.  This was one of many ridiculous things they said to me.  Total D Bags.

In your situation I would be petty.  Pick something that you don't like about their place and start dropping hints, be passive aggressive on it.  Something like "Wow the sun is really hard on house paint around here,  your house seems to be affected worse than others" or "I can't believe the previous owners picked that color for your house, I would've thought that you'd have repainted by now"  

If they continue to be a pain, I'd probably just lay down the law.  "You worry about your place, and I'll worry about mine"  and add "I don't want to see you trespassing on property again or there will be repercussions"  End it and walk away and never speak again.  It sucks living beside a person you dislike, I've had three bad neighbors over the years, the aforementioned one, another with rotten kids, and currently have one that oversteps personal boundaries.  I cut off all three, no further communication unless I had a real issue with something they were doing.

The only way you're going to be appease this person is to remove the palm trees entirely.

[Looking Glass]

23 minutes ago, Chester B said:

If they continue to be a pain, I'd probably just lay down the law.  "You worry about your place, and I'll worry about mine"  and add "I don't want to see you trespassing on property again or there will be repercussions" .

I think they are worried about their place though.  They basically have to clean up the mess in their pool area from those trees.  I always try to take the reasonable approach.   

I clean up 100s of Lbs of seeds and boots and fronds out of my pool from my inconsiderate back neighbors.  I did talk to them about it, and they took the attitude that you describe, and basically told me to F-off.   

There are three palms causing the problems.  (Or were three).   Unfortunately, for that particular neighbor, they overhang the property line and touch the high voltage uninsulated power lines.  So now, I just call the power company frequently to hack up the palms.  One has now died outright.  The other two will die soon enough.   

One’s crown is starting to cross over.  When it crosses a bit more, I’ll have that one beheaded completely.  

I think it became a bit of an “ego thing” for my back neighbor.   Didn’t work out so well for him in the end though.  Generally the more reasonable approach works better, but of course, both parties have to be reasonable.  
 

Edited October 13, 2022 by Looking Glass

[Looking Glass]

On 10/11/2022 at 8:35 PM, AzulPalmsAZ said:

Great question I should’ve provided this context. This has been an ongoing issue in which he has expressed to me he dislikes palm trees and there is a reason he doesn’t have them.  Tries to make fun of my yard to my face. He has crossed into my property and has cut down flowers and fronds from my palms that do not encroach his property without my permission. I understand the flowers are annoying but forgive me for thinking they are beautiful and would like to see them for a week or two.  I would’ve potentially accepted cutting flowers stalks but cutting new healthy fronds I have an issue. I have had multiple talks with him about how it is not healthy to cut entirely green fronds off the trees and they need the fronds for nutrients. I have expressed that it is not acceptable to enter my backyard and cut my trees without my permission. I think any neighbor who thinks they have the right to do that is a bit on the psychotic end. 

Appreciate all the suggestions everyone has offered. Perspective from other folks who care about their yard is extremely helpful. 
 

Whelp.  Sounds like you’re trying.  I will say, if someone entered my yard and cut something, I’d be calling the police for a one-time warning, and then filing charges for vandalism after that.  

As far as making fun of your yard….  I wouldn’t care at all…. 
 

 

[Chester B]

42 minutes ago, Looking Glass said:

I think they are worried about their place though.  They basically have to clean up the mess in their pool area from those trees.  I always try to take the reasonable approach.   

Yes but they are already putting forth an effort to have the trees trimmed 2x per year.   They are being reasonable.

If I complained about every time leaves blew into my yard from my neighbor's deciduous trees I'd be hoarse.  Never mind the shingles that fly off my neighbors roof anytime we get a wind storm.  The person referred to in this post is being unreasonable, I've had a pool before and crap gets in it.  That's what happens with pools.