After Hurricane Sandy, I had a downed tree at the end of my property. It was not a big/sturdy tree – but what we call around here a ‘weed tree’. Pretty for a bit, but weak, so it will bend & break in winds. It had vines and poison ivy growing around it (and the other trees in this stretch).

The tree was at the edge of the property that backs up to my house. The property is owned by a farmer’s co-op. There’s no house on the land or any property # to even talk to someone about. I know, from my HOA, that my backyard property stops at the sidewalk and the tree and the area it fell on is technically owned by this Farmer’s Co-op.

However, it is a hazard. I could not breakup/move the tree myself, so I asked my brother in law to look at it when he had a chance. It took him a while to get to it, so in the mean time, I placed a property county code violation report with the County. They sent someone out to review and deemed it a hazard. They then identified the owner & contacted them. 2 weeks later, my neighbor text me (As we have townhouses and the ‘weed’ trees back up to both of our properties) that there was a company out there removing the trees. AT this point, they were all damaged, so it was nice that they took care of it. I didn’t’ have to put any money out & while I miss the privacy the trees provided, I am glad for the safety.

Best part is – because I did my research & took a little time to get in contact with the right people – the trees were removed at no cost to me!