Neighbour's falling tree branch almost hit me!

Emojii on 29/04/2019 - 16:24
Last edited 29/04/2019 - 21:49 by 1 other user

Hi. I need some advice on the neighbor's fallen tree matter.

I was watering in my backyard today and suddenly a huge tree branch fell and almost hit me by one step away. The tree is about 3-4 storey tall. If I got hit then I shall be send to hospital in ambulance.

Approximately 5-6 branches fell from the same tree each year. It always fell in the middle of the night when no one is outside so I had never thought how dangerous it can be. What can I do about it? I don't think council would get involve in this. Can I only act when someone gets hurt?

Thanks for all the advice. I'll stop comment in this post from now on. If there's a chance I'll talk to my neighbor but honestly I don't think they will do anything about it. In the meantime I will be careful and try to avoid staying out in my backyard.

Home & Garden

closed Comments

  • hmac on 29/04/2019 - 16:27
    +33

    It didn't hit you though

    • moo on 29/04/2019 - 16:33
      +12

      It didn't hit you though

      Comments like that is the reason why we have a poor safety culture in the general population. A near miss can lead to injury and at worst, fatality. This could have been you, your family, friend or just anyone really.

      • hmac on 29/04/2019 - 16:35
        +5

        not my point. He is being so dramatic and making assumptions. Palm trees drop branches every year. Asking the neighbour to trim his trees helps

        Step 1. Talk to your neighbour, even if they don't speak english well. They can still speak it. Be patient
        Step 2. Talk to your council. Don't just assume they won't get involved.

        Then based on those responses, make an informed decision and seek ozbargain advice.

        No point asking here if the first steps aren't even taken

        • sghetti on 29/04/2019 - 16:40
          +12

          Not sure why moo was negged. Your comment came across very condescending. As in "what's the issue here?".

          Well.. there's a very big issue, a 3-4 storey tall issue. If, as OP has described, branches are falling this often then it's a pretty big safety hazard. And if you've worked anywhere that takes workplace safety seriously, issues or hazards are addressed before someone gets injured, if they can be identified, which in this case it has.

          But I agree with your follow-up reply. Not sure why it was raised here before trying to have a conversation with the neighbour, regardless of language issues. Show them the branch and how dangerous it was, discuss having the tree trimmed back.

          • Scrooge McDuck on 29/04/2019 - 18:11
            +15

            @sghetti: Palm fronds aren't dense and don't pose a serious safety hazard. When you contrast that to OP's original title:

            Neighbour's fallen tree almost hit me!

            which sensationally, inaccurately and grammatically incorrectly implies that a whole tree fell, I can understand why readers don't have much sympathy.

            • Emojii on 29/04/2019 - 18:49
              -4

              @Scrooge McDuck: Of course the frond wouldn't hurt much but the other end is as hard as a rock. Look at the size of it.
              http://imgur.com/y9KxKxA

            • sghetti on 29/04/2019 - 19:00

              @Scrooge McDuck: TBH I didn’t see the pic of the tree, I pictured a normal branched tree. This isn’t as bad as what I imagined. But still, the wrong end of this wouldn’t be a nice hit to the head.

              It still comes to the point, it should be a civil conversation with the neighbour about pruning the palm back, not “how should I approach this”.

            • vietbargain on 30/04/2019 - 08:16

              @Scrooge McDuck: OzBuzzFeed clickbait

          • yippy on 29/04/2019 - 17:24
            +14

            @Emojii: Speaking to the council before the neighbour will just end up in a shit fight. You live next door to each other so it's better to have a good relationship.

          • abb on 29/04/2019 - 17:51
            +3

            @Emojii: How big is the hole it made in the ground where it fell?

            While I'm sure the falling leaf startled you, and would hurt for sure if it hit you, I assure you it's nowhere near the same damage as would be done by a person falling on you from a great height.

            Council will most likely say: "You're allowed to trim any part of the trees that overhang your property".

            • Emojii on 29/04/2019 - 18:57
              -2

              @abb: Imagine an egg fall from 4 storey high.

              Will the egg made a hole if it hits the ground?
              No.
              What if it hits you on your head?
              I can't imagine.

              • yippy on 29/04/2019 - 19:31
                +7

                @Emojii: You'd have egg on your face, that's about it.

          • Scrooge McDuck on 29/04/2019 - 18:18
            +64

            @Emojii:

            P. S. My neighbor does not speaks English very well.

            You have common ground! Build from there.

        • alikazi on 30/04/2019 - 09:18

          Sounds a bit to me like secretly the OP wishes the tree hit them so they could sue the neighbour and make a quick buck out of it. I agree it must be harrowing to be inches away from ending up in hospital, but clearly the normal thing to do is go talk to the neighbours and then the council. The reason they've posted on here seems like they want someone to tell them "That's unacceptable! Here's how you can complain about your neighbour then sue them"

      • pformag on 29/04/2019 - 16:46
        +10

        poor safety culture in the general population

        Australia is a bureaucratic nightmare, with over-regulation of safety.

    • No ONE on 29/04/2019 - 23:39

      I hope you have many near miss accident every day. Then we will all see how happy you are.

  • Donaldhump on 29/04/2019 - 16:33
    +12

    ask them to trim i, but i think your being a bit of a (profanity)

    if a palm tree branch would require you to go to hospital, you must be pretty week.

    • Emojii on 29/04/2019 - 17:05

      Will need to get a professional to trim as it's too high and I think they are reluctant to pay for it.

      I wondered how strong you are.

      • Donaldhump on 29/04/2019 - 17:27

        I’m not strong at all, but I would would think unless you are mr burns that would not hurt for long.

        Could poke an eye out but that’s about it

        I assumed you were a man but still it’s not that hard, might hurt for 5 minutes.

        • Zachary on 30/04/2019 - 08:45
          -1

          …must be an old fragile granny by the feel of the dramatic entrance…..

    • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 20:29

      I don't think you are supposed to prune palms like normal trees, you are just supposed to let the fronds die and fall off. If they are dead and hanging you can pull them off but I just let them fall. Neighbors have never complained and some lands in their yard.

      I am betting like ever other part of the story OP exaggerated the height.

    • No ONE on 29/04/2019 - 23:47

      I bet you have never lifted a palm tree branch. The base of the branch is a lot heavier than you think. I lifted one the other day (weighs about 7-10 kgs) that fell from the top of the tree about 10-15 meters high.

      • Donaldhump on 30/04/2019 - 06:17
        +1

        No I pay a gardener

        • No ONE on 30/04/2019 - 14:39
          +1

          No I pay a gardener

          Well Then,

          you must be pretty week.

          weak.

          Fixed that for you. The irony of your statement.

          • Donaldhump on 30/04/2019 - 14:55

            @No ONE: mate your statement pays no sense.

            i pay them because my time is worth the money being forked out, like i pay for dry cleaning, ironing, lawn mowing, pool cleaning, house cleaning because i would rather sit on my backside when i am not working and drink beer.

            and i am stimulating the econonmy

  • Ryanek on 29/04/2019 - 16:33
    +7

    Here is a step by step guide on resolving tree disputes.

  • rompastompa on 29/04/2019 - 16:42
    +6

    These branches won't do much damage to you when they fall..

    The weight is all at the top when it eventually loses hold, it will fall leaf end first and act as a shock absorber. You might get a hard dry leaf in the eye, though.

    It's not like a widow maker (white gum) where the whole thick, heavy limbs fall.. Usually after first rains.

  • xuqi on 29/04/2019 - 16:42
    +2

    Victorian info:

    http://lawreform.vic.gov.au/projects/neighbourhood-tree-disp…

    http://lawreform.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/Neighbourhoo…

    Read pages 17 & 18 - Harm to people, falling branches or trees

  • pformag on 29/04/2019 - 16:45
    +7

    Wow, kids these days.

    • Hellfire on 29/04/2019 - 16:46
      +24

      I was expecting a widow maker Gumtree but it's just a poxy palm. OP needs to harden up.

      • pformag on 29/04/2019 - 16:47
        +1

        I'm surprised he isn't upset about the dates.

        • Emojii on 29/04/2019 - 17:11

          Actually I am. I'm a she BTW.

          • Zachary on 30/04/2019 - 08:49

            @Emojii: …well that just fortifies my comment about you being an old fragile granny….

      • Of Aquitaine on 29/04/2019 - 20:38
        +1

        My thoughts exactly Hellfire. Reminds me of the morning that I DIDNT sit down to my normal morning read outside at the table and chairs…

        http://i.imgur.com/Mz7Y4vy.jpg

    • andyfc on 30/04/2019 - 18:20

      This is the kind of person that would try and sue someone if they trip on a tree root in a park.

      Sure, it might have hit you, but thats just the risk you take in life, like crossing the road.

      If the trees dying and branches are dropping left right and centre, sure take action. if you see branches that look like are about to fall, ask your neighbour to fix.

      Otherwise, learn to deal with life! Dont go into a forest! You should see how many trees and branches can fall on you there!

  • nfr on 29/04/2019 - 16:50
    +5

    I never get why people planted those palm trees in their yards. I removed all mine.

    • Emojii on 29/04/2019 - 17:15

      I hate these trees. My neighbor had planted more as you can see in the pic there's two smaller one growing on the right.

      • athk on 30/04/2019 - 08:32

        Cool, your neighbour obviously loves them. Talk to them, stop finding ways not to.

        You're coming to an online forum to complain, dramatically to be fair. One can only assume you're the problem here not the tree, not the neighbour. You.

    • ItsMeAgro on 30/04/2019 - 10:44
      +2

      It was some weird fashion in the 1950s, to make your home in the suburbs feel like some kind of Brit or north american's idea of a tropical holiday. Some people were slow on the uptake and continued the silly trend - even decades later some grandpa will plant one. Always looked fairly ugly and out of place in my opinion.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 16:55
    +2

    Home insurance usually includes public liability which would cover this.

  • teacherer on 29/04/2019 - 17:04
    +12

    That is a palm frond

  • dogboy on 29/04/2019 - 17:18
    +8

    Its a palm tree ffs and not going to hurt you. If the palms are landing in your yard then throw them over the fence.

    • No ONE on 30/04/2019 - 14:46
      +1

      Don't underestimate the weight of palm tree branch. Weighing about 7-10KG and falling from 10-15 meter high, could pretty much f**k your head up.

  • JimB on 29/04/2019 - 17:32
    +5

    lol

  • chumlee on 29/04/2019 - 17:54
    +5

    Unless you are Montgomery Burns that branch will not hurt you

    • kahn on 29/04/2019 - 19:24
      +8

      This exact situation happened in an episode of The Simpsons.

      • chumlee on 29/04/2019 - 20:49

        Even Monty survived so OP will too

  • dracarys19 on 29/04/2019 - 18:33
    +2

    Talk to your neighbor asap. Everyone here clearly hasn't seen those in real life. The thick part can be quite heavy and hard.

  • GangGang on 29/04/2019 - 18:37
    +1

    I can't believe it hasn't been said yet, pick up the frond and throw it back over the fence.

    Don't pursue it. This sort of crap will most likely cause more problems.

    • kahn on 29/04/2019 - 18:57
      +5

      I can't believe it hasn't been said yet, pick up the frond and throw it back over the fence. bikies.

      Fixed it for ya.

      • GangGang on 29/04/2019 - 19:25
        +1

        That also. Very surprising.

  • Quantumcat on 29/04/2019 - 18:39
    +3

    You can trim the part of the tree that overhangs your yard if it bothers you.

  • JimmyF on 29/04/2019 - 18:52

    almost hit me!

    Ok, then, nothing to see here.

  • QW3RTY on 29/04/2019 - 18:53
    +12

    I would just palm off all these un-frondly comments.
    If you trolls don't have anything constructive to add, just leaf.

    • bloom on 29/04/2019 - 19:29
      +1

      When life gives you coconuts, crack them open and make cocktails

    • rompastompa on 29/04/2019 - 19:29
      +6

      Wood you do the same? This isn't the first time things have fallen in their yard, it's happened at least tree times.

      And anyway, nothing has happened so OP has no limb to stand on. I'm stumped they haven't worked it out themselves. OP is either all bark or has dendrophobia.

  • AdosHouse on 29/04/2019 - 19:26

    Ok look OP, it almost hit you, not did. And there way nothing malicious about it, it just fell, as they do. So move on from this, and look at preventative measures for the future.

    Go and talk to your neighbour. Either someone can use a ladder and a telescopic tree pruner to fix it up, or a professional can come have a look.

  • ScuseMe on 29/04/2019 - 19:59
    +2

    Clearly your neighbour must have been planning this for years. He must be pretty bummed that the branch didn't hit you.

  • Clivey In Space on 29/04/2019 - 20:03
    +1

    Looks like an almost exact same situationa as a friend, execpt their tree was bigger!

    The neighbour wasn't interested in getting the tree trimmed or removed as it was going to cost money, and the local council (Gold Coast) was not interested and stated that it was a civil matter and would have to be resolved at QCAT.

    Unless you can come to an agreement with the neighbour then you probably will have to pursue some other form of action to get it rectified.

  • therooftop on 29/04/2019 - 20:58
    +10

    Face palm

  • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 21:15
    +10

    Bird's falling feather nearly crushed me!

  • rulz245 on 29/04/2019 - 22:09
    +3

    you almost had a reason for this post!

    • HeWhoKnows on 30/04/2019 - 16:54

      The post man is waiting

  • j1nk0r on 29/04/2019 - 22:35

    I can’t see the OPs picture, looks to have been removed. I had a tall palm in my front yard but I got it cut down. As someone who has been hit by one I can assure you the end that is attached to the tree is not light as a feather, it knocked me to the ground and left a deep gash in my face. That same blasted tree dropped a frond onto my brothers car and left a sizeable dent in his bonnet. If it was a little kid or an old person there is a very real risk of significant injury. Light as a feather my arse.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 22:47
      -1

      I wonder how gravity works where you live. The heavy end that's attached to the tree falls with that end facing the tree, of course, unless physics don't work too good that day.

      I mean sure, OP could hang out at the spot near the fence where the fronds would land and wait for another "sudden death" scenario.

      • windale on 30/04/2019 - 15:18
        +2

        If it is a long branch it can land several metres from the tree as the heavy end falls first and as the leafy end acts as a fan/wing the heavy part swings down. Some of them just drop suddenly with no warning. They don't always lower against the trunk before falling. I have been near large palms when they drop and I wouldnt want to be hit by one they could easily cause death (it has happened) or major injuries.

        • HeWhoKnows on 30/04/2019 - 16:54

          Not the palm branches but rather those long, hard, pointed nut cases as they spear down could certainly inflict injury if not death.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 29/04/2019 - 22:46

    For phux sake…

  • THICKnSLOW on 29/04/2019 - 23:14

    OP face time line at the event 😵😳🤔

  • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2019 - 23:18
    +4

    You almost had the right to complain.

  • StarvingOat on 29/04/2019 - 23:50
    -4

    OP, buy some weed killer. Put it into the soil near the tree occasionally. Your problem will go away in a few months.

    Alternatively, talk to the neighbours/council.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2019 - 07:03

    Lol did you think you could get some money out of this or something.

  • Ace Ventura on 30/04/2019 - 07:04
    +2

    Well done OP, the palm frond almost hit you, and by posting here, you almost did something about it.

    Just talk to your neighbour, no one here is going to trim it.

  • CalmLemons on 30/04/2019 - 08:06
    +1

    Council will not deal with private land trees not going onto council land.

    If the tree falls on you it will be considered an act of God.

    Always be on the watch out for wolves, it's how the world works.

    How to solve this? Smile, introduce yourself and express your concerns directly to your neighbor.

  • Freitag on 30/04/2019 - 09:42

    Trim anything over your property.

    • HeWhoKnows on 30/04/2019 - 16:51

      Its a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll

  • blehgg on 30/04/2019 - 10:44

    Side note: my neighbours gum tree split and a good 2-3m of it landed in my back yard.

    Please sure that would be killed someone if they were underneath it.

    Tried to get them to clean it up without success….

    ended up chainsawing it myself and dumping over a couple of weeks ~

    Opinion: Its your tree ~ clean it up yourself or get rid of it

  • Dreamcast on 30/04/2019 - 11:06
    +1

    I know the feels. I received a paper cut after a leaf from a neighbours tree cut my palm.

    • moo on 30/04/2019 - 12:35

      Paper cut on the eyeball is quite painful. Just imagine the feeling of a leaf gliding across the surface of your eyes…..

  • Charybdia on 30/04/2019 - 13:47
    +2

    Report the tree to the police. They will come around and have a stern word with the tree. Won't happen again after that.

    • Melong on 30/04/2019 - 14:40

      Or be “take him away boys”

    • HeWhoKnows on 30/04/2019 - 16:50

      The tree will be fined for littering and probably offensive behaviour.
      Suggest OP applies for an AVO on the tree

  • p3nf0ld on 30/04/2019 - 14:48

    OP, I'd stay inside too. It might be worth paying someone for a drop-bear inspection on the trees too - you can't be too careful.

  • HeWhoKnows on 30/04/2019 - 16:48

    Sounds like OP is still alive and not injured so all is well.

    Id say a letter to the owner highlighing the problem and suggesting they either get the tree's health checked out, cut it down or give it a good prune.

  • mousie on 30/04/2019 - 17:27
    +1

    Tell him to make like a tree..
    And Leave.

  • lgacb08 on 30/04/2019 - 18:04

    I was asking myself when reading this like what sort of tree that drop branch few times a year. But then first time I ever seen anyone calling palm frond a branch, and English is not my native language.

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