In the movies, neighbors are often one of two things: picture-perfect companions or grumpy nuisances. Rarely are they ever so tactless as to force people from the neighborhood, but neighbors in real life come in all temperaments, including belligerent.
One Reddit user was horrified to find that their well-cared-for Brodie Junipers were dying, potentially at the hands of their tree-hating neighbors. They shared their experience on r/gardening.
"Did my neighbors kill my trees?" the original poster wrote.
The poster's 30 trees along their property line have thrived since spring 2022. Now, each tree is practically fried, as is the grass surrounding them.
"I don't even know if they're going to come back AT ALL. There are some bits of green, but it is bleak," the user said.
The user's trees planted nearer to their house are perfectly healthy.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. |
The OP has good reason to believe the trees were damaged on purpose, and one commenter suggested herbicides could have been the weapon.
Herbicides are not only plant killers, but their fumes can spread into the air and through waterways, so they can be damaging to all living things. According to the National Library of Medicine, those who work closely with herbicides are at risk for cancer, and the chemicals can also harm other unintended organisms when they enter soil and marine bodies.
One study by Kimberly Parker and her team found that amines put in herbicides to keep them from spreading too far are causing air pollution, too, per WashU The Source.
Herbicides are harmful, and to use them pettily on a neighbor's growing trees is a shame. Trees are not only for aesthetics, as they clean our water and air, nurture biodiversity, provide valuable shade, and economically aid neighborhoods, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
|
Should homeowners associations be able to determine what you grow in your garden?
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Yes 💯 Many commenters on the Reddit post agreed that the damage was done with intention; one said: "Sure looks like weed killer. The dead grass is especially damning."
Another considers the tree murder a crime. "[At] this point I would file a police report for vandalism. He purposefully poisoned them. Then go after him in small claims court," they said.
Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
