In my yard, there are trees. In my medium density neighborhood, I’m surrounded in a grid, my eighth of an acre.

But there is one tree that sits at the corner of their backyard. It’s out of sight for the owner, but has a presence on my gazebo.

My gazebo is fairly old, not very well taken care of, and the land underneath it is sloped, sinking from years of runoff and storm.

The tree extends across 3 of it’s neighbors yards, constantly shedding its branches and leaves. It looks like its leaning on the corner of my gazebo.

I’ve talked with Neighbor 2 and Neighbor 3 about Neighbor 4’s tree. They can see that it can be a problem, but that I can trim the parts that overhang onto my property. It’s mostly a problem for me, but they can see it’s a problem.

Neighbor 4 likes his tree. He wants his tree to be healthy, and big, and does not want to trim. Neighbor 4 does not trust that I can trim it properly, and will infect and kill his tree.

From his view, the tree is doing great, and has plenty of room to grow.

From my view, the tree is so entangled it everyone else’s yard. My vinyl fence, neighbor 2’s metal fence. and my sickly gazebo.

I offer to have professionals pay and we split, and Neighbor 4 refuses. I offer to pay for everything, and Neighbor 4 refuses.

It is a turbulent storm season, and a storm approaches. If the tree falls, it will damage my gazebo, and maybe my home. I urge my neighbor to let me help trim back the tree before this happens to me.

But he says the tree has strong branches, and some branches may fall, but will not hurt. That’s what trees do, they shed some branches and it will remain strong.

The storm is coming.

Note: this is just a story about a tree.