When you have neighbours that aren’t so pleasant, it can make things a little difficult. Especially if the trees you planted when you first moved in to your property 20 years ago, are now blocking the neighbours view of the CBD. While your trees are on your property, you can’t immediately conclude that because of this, they are safe.
The same applies if you have an exotic fruit tree or rare plant that’s blocking the view for a neighbouring property or overhanging into their backyard.
Tree poisoning is more common than many of us think, with video surveillance showing that some neighbours take matters into their own hands when they are unable to ask a neighbour to remove a tree. The council can only do so much too, so if you have a neighbour that has their sites on something in your back or front yard, you need to take precautions to keep it protected while you’re away.
If you have a green thumb and love gardening, the thought of someone coming in and poisoning your trees is upsetting and concerning, but there are things you can do to minimise the risk that this will happen. After all, not only is it unpleasant to come home to a row of dead trees you’ve loved for so many years, but it’s also an expensive exercise to replace everything you’ve lost.
Tips and advice
1. Talk to your neighbour- If it’s possible, you might be able to reason with them as to why the trees are important to you. If they understand they might be less likely to want to destroy them.
2. Install sensor flood lights around the perimeter of your property- Neighbours won’t try to poison your plants during the day, it will be at night that they strike. By installing sensor lights you’ll ward off potential tree killers who might be trying to sneak on to your property after dark.
3. Install CCTV– Direct your cameras onto your trees so that if anyone tampers with them while you’re not at home, you’ll have the HD video footage to prove it. If you are able to capture a criminal act on CCTV camera there’s no need to have to worry about proving who did destroy your trees should the worst happen. This will make it easier to convince authorities as there will be no doubt as to what transpired.
Also, many times simply having the CCTV installed is enough to scare people from doing the wrong thing. By simply having a completely functional and operational camera there, you are less likely going to have any problems.
If you don’t like the thought of having to regrow your large trees once again from small shrubs and you have a neighbour that has a problem with your trees, you need to take note of the above tips for keeping unwanted tree killers off your property.