Update 2 - Welp, he's continued cutting after I asked him to "pause" while we figured out where the lines were. Although, to his credit, he's cutting stuff on his side of the fence. But hasn't solved the problem. None of the bureaucratic machines whose levers I'm trying to pull can keep up with this guy...
Update 1- Y'all are fun. A friend recommended I post here with this conundrum saying y'all were "ride or die" and you have NOT disappointed. Thanks for all the feedback and/or commiseration. I especially appreciate the notes of reasonable caution some of you have sounded. The main point of confusion I've had has been about the potential lot boundaries which some of you all asked about. The survey that was provided to us for our mortgage (last updated 1999) indicates the width of the property is 70'. Partner and kiddo measured fence width (which passes behind tree in pic above at 68'. Some noted that the fence on my neighbor's side may not be straight on the property line. This appears to be true but it is running east to just a hair to the northwest by the time it gets to the tree/shed which makes it seem like--if anything the SW corner of my fence could be as much as a foot in from the actual line which means the shed is overhanging something like two feet into our space. Our fence measurement isn't official but I'm feeling increasingly confident the tree is either mine or the city's. And while he'd have been welcome to cut any branches overhanging into his property, chopping in like that he's come in maybe as many as 3ft. Looking closely at survey from 1999 appears that the shed has been there...a while. Calling insurance and reporting to PD tomorrow. Will keep y'all updated.]
I'm in West TX. My neighbor requested access to my yard as part of repairing his shed which hangs over my fence (idk, it's been like that since we moved in and it hasn't been a problem). We authorized the access for repair.
But the other day we realized he'd cut back the trunk substantially near the edge. The tree had I guess grown into shed (again, which overhangs the property line, again, I don't know why he built it like that). But he cut it so much it's now a threat to his shed/fence as well as the alleyway access. Arborist has confirmed it's now a hazard, recommended removal and given me a quote. Tried to talk to neighbor but he's an older man, though we haven't had problems with until now. Don't want to report to cops, have never worked with a lawyer on these kinds of things. Decided to start by contacting city codes because he thinks it's the city's tree (there's an electrical box at base). But I have been paying tree service to trim and treat and it, at least nominally, is on my property. He didn't tell us he was going to do it. Didn't tell us he did it. And seemed unconcerned about the danger or that he'd basically killed a tree. Feels kind a nuts. Am I missing something? I know TX is the wild west, but...my gawd
[Photo 1 - picture of tree and shed with cut out, Photo 2 - picture taken from further back, electrical box visible at base of tree]