We have six 80 year old Norway spruce trees in our yard. Our neighbors just gave us a letter that said they wanted to trim what was on their property line. They spoke to a local arborist and they said he told they that he could cut branches with a chain saw on stick but it would be better for the trees to cut the branches all the way back to the trunk. We are concerned about injuring the trees and truly do not know what is best for the trees. We also have an 80 year old sycamore that they claim is "sprawling" and some branches are hang over to their property and they want that "trimmed" as well. There are no branches from either tree that you can reach or that hang down and would hit you.
I'd meet with your neighbors and figure out what their concerns are. Usually its one of three things. 1. They want more sun for their grass 2. They're worried the trees are going to fall and injure them or damage their property. 3. They dislike your trees If safety is the concern its in everyone's best interest to get along. Limits your liability also. Sometimes folks just don't like having trees overhead while they're sleeping. I fall someplace in the middle and can't stand having a declining tree over my house or power lines. As far as "better for your tree", think about having one of them "certified arborists" come over and give their opinion.
Oooooo! That is a sticky one! Definitely try to be civil, but don't get pushed around! Check out the laws and maybe the trees could be protected? I had a neighbor who had big beautiful trees in their front yard. My landlord at the time had been transformed by menopause, and after we moved out, she went crazy over those trees! I mean she was out for blood- or sap. And to this day there is nothing but dirt in their front yard. And these people were a very nice, young couple, whom everyone liked and they had to pay for the trees to be removed. I felt so bad. Anyway, I hope everything works out better for you. I will pray for a peaceful resolve.
What was written in the letter sounds like the average way its handled down here. In fact, I have a book called Arboriculture and the Law. http://secure.isa-arbor.com/webstore/Arboriculture-the-Law-P41.aspx The authors, who specialize with agricultural and horticultural law stuff, wrote that the norm is that the property line extends upward. With some exceptions. I hear about this kind of thing virtually monthly. The most important part in our area, is that the limbs are not removed too excessively from the sunset side where tissue beneath the bark can become damaged by sunlight.
