Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Cheek by Jowl



The neighbors are going to cut this limb off our tree. It hangs over their grass. You can see where they've already pruned a section of it while I was away (middle picture -I'm pretty sure they checked with my husband). Legally they're entitled to cut down anything that crosses the property line. I suspect this is about grass and the desire for vigorous luxuriant grass. Our trees are on the north side of their lawn and are not the cause of the wimpy green.
This small suburban tract home development is made graceful by the trees within which the homes were built cheek by jowl. The wires are above ground and the trees obscure their harsh linearity. If everyone on these small lots lopped off the limbs that reach for the sky over their lawns, we'd have telephone pole property lines. Interestingly, our neighbors plan to move in the very near future. I can't confront them with this inanity - I just wouldn't be able to maintain my composure. So I won't be watching this little squirrel napping on this branch in the rain after the buzz saw has done its work. Cheek by jowl. Cheek by jowl.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You've resigned with grace. But how very sad. The same thing happened to me. Our home is on property that is very old, and we had to cut down an entire 80 foot line of forsythia bushes because they'd gotten so woody. I plan to replant, but, the birds aren't frequent here as a result. It may take 5 years to get good growth to bring them back. I must be patient, and wait.

Anvilcloud said...

While it's nice to have green, thick grass, it's not so nice to cut back trees, especially if they're not the culprits. They're being silly, and I imagine that you're not mouring their imminent departture.

Cathy said...

Bonita - How kind of you to respond to my rant - As always your words are wise in so many ways. Ironically, our fix-it man just called about our place in central Ohio (the webcam on the sidebar) to tell me he has to remove a very old venerable dogwood that is too close to the house and has cracked the cement blocks of the foundation. The water is coming in. Like you, I shall plant a knew one and like you I'll try to be patient . . . and wait.

Cathy said...

Oh, AC - life is so blinkn' complicated. They've been neighbors for years and of course we have ties - watched their beautiful children grow into adulthood as lovely young people.

I had another friend remark recently about neighbors and I have to tell you I was shocked at her comment. She said: "When was anyone ever good friends with their next door neighbors?" I'd not really thought about it. Is that an unreasonable expectation?

dmmgmfm said...

I am sorry to hear you are losing your branch; it was such a lovely place for the squirrel to relax. Hopefully he will find a new place to enjoy the afternoon, in a place that you can see.

As always, I love the photos.

Cathy said...

Laurie - I've been thinking - maybe I should have the pruner leave as much branch as possible on my side of the line for a remnant perch. Hmmm. I think I've got a plan.

Anonymous said...

If you live in a community, you live with a community. Unfortunately, that's a sword that cuts both ways. Me, I live in suburbia for the good school district. But someday I'm leaving for good!

www.roundrockjournal.com

Cathy said...

Pablo - I surmise from your comment that all has not been amiable across the neighborhood fence line. If it's this difficult among people from basically the same cultural background to get along it does make one wonder about the possibilities for world peace. Your Seth is on the vanguard in this effort to build bridges. He must be an optimist by nature.