neighbor's invasive weed growind on our fence

[justtootired]

What is the name of your state? Wa



Our neighbor has planted blackberry bushes near our fence & is intentionally allowing them to grow on our fence. They will soon be entangling in the plants & trees on our side of the fence. The fence is within 1-1/2" of the property line. This neighbor is hostile towards us and we want to make sure that we take appropriate actions to avoid legal reprocussions from them. What procedures do we take to have the plants removed? In addition to the weeds on the fence, they & another neighbor are trying to isolate our family from the neighborhood by defamation of character - it's far beyond idol gossip. As you know, people don't like getting involved with neighbor disputes, but are more than happy to listen and form an opinion based on what they've been told. We've made some calls to attorneys, but they don't seem to anxious to get involved. We need some advice.
Thank you.

[Shay-Pari'e]

They have every right to plant on their side of the fence. You can trim back anything that grows over or into your fence.

[HomeGuru]

I agree. Make blackberry juice.

[justtootired]

What is the name of your state? Washington
I was asking for some earnest advice on a situation that is very real for us and goes beyond the blackberry bushes. If our situation seems trivial to you, then no response would have been better than sarcasm.


Our neighbor has planted blackberry bushes near our fence & is intentionally allowing them to grow on our fence. They will soon be entangling in the plants & trees on our side of the fence. The fence is within 1-1/2" of the property line. This neighbor is hostile towards us and we want to make sure that we take appropriate actions to avoid legal reprocussions from them. What procedures do we take to have the plants removed? In addition to the weeds on the fence, they & another neighbor are trying to isolate our family from the neighborhood by defamation of character - it's far beyond idol gossip. As you know, people don't like getting involved with neighbor disputes, but are more than happy to listen and form an opinion based on what they've been told. We've made some calls to attorneys, but they don't seem to anxious to get involved. We need some advice.
Thank you.[/quote]

[justtootired]

I was asking for some earnest advice on a situation that is very real for us and goes beyond the blackberry bushes. If our situation seems trivial to you, then no response would have been better than sarcasm.

[Shay-Pari'e]

What are you not getting? You can't tell them what to do with their own yard, and you cannot make them remove their bushes from their side of the fence.

[nextwife]

Try an underground barrier along the inside of your fence line, so no runners will pop up there.

IF the rubus variety they are growing is classified as a noxious weed IN YOUR area, and there are any local weed laws that they are violating, you may have recourse. You will need to research your local weed laws to see if propagating Rubus Whatever is illegal.

[url]http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/INDEX.htm[/url]

[FlyingRon]

An underground barrier isn't probably going to be necessary or useful. Blackberry propagages pretty much above ground, usually when the drooping canes touch the ground again. There are some shoots that "run" along the ground. Aggressive pruning to the fence line will stop the vegetative propagation.

Depending on the temperature in your area, there may be propagation due to the seeds.

But still it's probably a private nuisance to have to whack back your neighbors invasive vines, but until they actually invade, you really don't have a cause. Maybe they intend to espalier them nicely and keep the shoots managed for optimum fruit production :-) (probably not).

[LindaP777]

Originally Posted by justtootired

If our situation seems trivial to you, then no response would have been better than sarcasm.

What sarcasm? Did I miss it? I love sarcasm! Especially on toast with blackberry jam!