I have a bit of a problem with my neighbors tree, the worst part is that my old neighbor that moved out was ready to cut the tree down, if I had known the problems it would cause I would have been more persuasive. I hate to admit it but I haven’t even met the new neighbors yet…
First problem, the old neighbor let a seedling silver maple grow up a few inches from the fence line, it is now easily over a foot diameter and 40 ft tall. Their house and patio block the roots of the tree so there is nowhere for them to go but into my yard. It has bee a struggle to keep this part of the lawn watered it only takes watering this area every other day with the sprinkler set for 120 minutes, no joke! My pawpaws in this trees root zone have never grown so much and I think they have been under watered for years.
Now onto the real problem. The tree is loaded with seeds and is infested with box elder bugs, could it have something to do with all of the extra water? Usually the bugs are not a problem but this year they have destroyed my peach crop as well as my blackberries. When I check my peaches there are literally dozens of bugs on a single peach feeding like stink bugs. I sprayed the peaches with Sevin and it didn’t do a thing. The bugs would just move to the top of the peach where I couldn’t spray well. Besides even if they did die there are thousands more to take their place. Eventually I picked what fruit was left and let them ripen on the counter top but at a big loss. The bugs are also doing the same thing to the last of my blackberries. What can I do? I understand that I can cut the limbs and roots that come over into my yard but that wont do a whole lot for the bugs. I am thinking about drastic measures like killing the tree but I don’t want to get in trouble. Would it be illegal to place a systemic insecticide plugs into the roots? Remember the new neighbors haven’t even met me or my family and the last thing I want to do is introduce myself and tell them they need to cut their tree down. I am sure you could understand how frustrating this is. Thanks Greg
It is frustrating though remember to carefully consider your options before embarking down a certain path. I would politely let them know you and the former tenant of the next house planned to remove the tree if that was the situation and then I would remove it if they are ok with that. If they are not ok with it I would forget it and move on. I’ve seen viscous legal battles fought over trees in the fence rows with each party spending hundreds of thousands and no one ever winning but rather eventually running out of money. You can buy lots of land in Kansas for hundreds of thousands so that battle was fought over their pride. In the end they don’t have their pride, their money, new land, or a neighbors friendship. I’m not saying don’t fight them over a tree I’m just saying if you do be prepared.
Always try to keep good relationship with you neighbors. It pays off. Try to meet them, introduce yourself and discuss the tree as your AND your neighbors problem, problem you want to solve together. Tell them about the roots, that break their foundation, about invasiveness of the tree. Offer help to remove it, if you able - monetary or else how. I have few trees removed on my neighbors’ yard on my request. One neighbor was not able to pay for it, but agreed that leaning tree causes problem. Another removed the tree when I kindly asked permission to cut couple branches going out of his yard not even in my yard, but in the yard of my other neighbor, who just let me grow what I want in the unused portion of her yard for helping her to maintain flower beds she loves, but can’t care for. You will be surprised, how much you can achieve, when you offer something instead of demanding. Good luck!
Great advice listed above. When approached correctly I have found that most neighbors are willing to be cooperative with land line/tree issues.
Great advise about simply talking to the neighbors, being up front and polite. Silver maple is not a good choice for a tree growing close to a house. They are very fast growing, brittle and get very large. The bigger they get the more expensive they are to remove. It’s a great tree for a big back yard away from power lines and structures.
Before the ash borer moved here, Silver maple made up the largest portion of my removal work.
Or, because it’s early and I am grouchy from a belly ache, if all the roots are in your yard, a trencher will probably solve the problem less diplomatically.
Just grab a chainsaw and cut it down. Worry about repercussions later…
Jk
I would tell them know about problems with silver maple trees. Too large and brittle when old, roots clog drainage and pipes, seeds clog gutters and are real pain every year, new maple seedlings sprout everywhere. Also if it is near the fence it might ruin the fence, you can complain if it is you fence. You can offer to share the expense, anything to get rid of the tree.
I have 3 HUGE silver maple trees in my back yard. So big that I can’t wrap my arms around them (not that I usually do that J)
I agree with all the bad things about those trees. They are a pain! Expensive to just trim branches every few years. But I love love love those trees for the shade they provide. My back yard is always nice and shady and ready for kids to play in any minute of the day. I know that doesn’t help you but I just wanted to make a nice comment about silver maples.
I do understand where you are coming from. My neighbors are an elderly couple who doesn’t take care of their yard other than mowing the lawn. Very sweet people but property line is a mess. Their bushes and trees keep pushing our fence in and breaking it. there’s a black walnut growing right next to the fence that I hate. My veggies on the other side of the fence grow poorly because of that tree. We’ve decided to accept that they are too old to be worrying about those things so once a year or so we knock on their door and ask if we can trim the branches and take out few bushes pushing the fence in. they are always ok with that (of course, why not we are doing the cleaning up) but I have to admit I’ve also thought about injecting something into that black walnut that causes so much trouble for me.
Also keep your eyes open for seedlings. I’m always killing volunteer bl walnut in my yard.
Check your local laws. In some places, a tree that reaches over your property and is damaging it can be removed by you.
I like Silver maples in the appropriate spot. I like the diffuse shade they offer.
I have a bunch out back that I tap every year. Definitely a different flavor syrup than sugar maples. I hug them all the time too, on my way up. 
I had that same problem with a 1.5 foot diameter maple.
This is a little upsetting. If a neighbor came over and poisoned fruit trees or underhandedly destroyed anything on my property because he didn’t like something about it, I would be more than livid. It may be enough to start a war with no winners. I would much rather the neighbor be upfront and talk to me to come to a common solution. Although I’m far from perfect and hope I’m not coming across as “throwing stones”, deceitful behavior is not something I would hope to be advocated on this site with such a great group of people.
If approaching your neighbor nicely doesn’t work than you must use plan B. You mentioned the roots were growing on your property. Just dig down to you expose the roots and start pouring the herbicide on the roots. May take a month or so of repeated applications. If there is a fence use that as cover - no need to openly antagonize your neighbor. You might want to discuss with a lawyer first - may not be legal in your area. Sorry I don’t offer bail money … 
It must be true it was on the internet!
The neighbors were renters from Eastern Europe and the owner was an absentee landlord who cared less.
I agree with the NOT posting on a public forum either past, present or suggested future illegal acts. These types of posts opens the poster and/or the site to all sorts of potential legal issues. It’s just not worth the risk. Sorry to be a downer but I head mod an aquarium forum in Canada and we have to keep possible legal issues in mind when moderating the board.
Anthony
Property lines, surveys, fences, trees, neighbors animals etc. can all lead to WWIII. I’ve let a few neighbors cows tear some stuff up a few dozen times, been forgiving for a neighbor commiting fence treachery etc. . In the end my goal is to get along with people but I say that partially because I have the luxury of additional land resources so I don’t care as much. I’ve also been in some disputes over such things. Never speak to them when your angry because you will say things you can’t take back later. I’m not suggesting to let people get over on you merely suggesting tolerance of others. If they want to grow trees on my borders it’s no problem. I’ve got big cedars on a border now on my side of the fence I’ve not chainsawed because a neighbor who was a friend liked them for privacy. He lived there for years and it was his dream. He passed away last week and it’s been hard because he was my favorite neighbor. He drank and smoked to much and was tough as nails but I loved him like a brother because good neighbors like that are like finding gold coins. He left me alone and I left him alone and once in awhile we exchanged a melon or apples etcetra over the fence. One of his bulls charged me in my front yard and I told him I was a little upset with that bull stomping my fence in the ground and trying to stomp me in the ground so he got rid of him. He didn’t fix the fence and I didn’t ask him to. About a month ago my mower was broken so he brought me over his zero turn to use. It’s always the good that die young. He was in his 70’s and many people are living 20-30 years longer. Whatever you do when dealing with neighbors is make sure your thinking things through before you do them.
Very nicely said Clark. You would be an awesome neighbor.