🍏 Can You Legally Munch on That Neighbour’s Apple? 🤔
Picture this: It’s a sunny autumn afternoon, and you’re eyeing those delicious apples hanging tantalisingly over the fence from your neighbour’s tree. Tempting, right? But before you reach out for a little taste of the forbidden fruit, here’s what you need to know!
🌳 Know Your Boundaries
According to experts, even if those juicy apples fall into your garden, they still legally belong to your neighbour. Yep, munching on them could be considered theft! 😯
✂️ Pruning Permission
You’re allowed to trim any branches overhanging your garden, as long as it’s up to the boundary and the tree isn’t protected by a preservation order. But remember, any prunings or fallen fruit should still be offered back to your tree-owning neighbour.
🤝 Communication is Key
Dean Meadows from Arbtech suggests having a friendly chat with your neighbour. Most won’t mind sharing some fruit, but it’s always best to ask. A little conversation can go a long way in keeping neighbourhood relations sweet.
🚫 No “Scrumping” Allowed
“Scrumping” – the old practice of swiping fruit from someone else’s trees – might sound quaint, but it’s actionable under the Theft Act 1968. So, resist the urge unless you’ve got your neighbour’s green light!
🍂 Windfall Wisdom
If nature lets some fruit tumble into your garden, it’s the same story – best to check with your neighbour before claiming it as your own. Tossing it back isn’t the way to deal with it either, as that might count as fly tipping.
So, the next time Mother Nature gifts you some overhanging fruit, remember the rules and keep neighbourly harmony intact. Happy gardening! 🌿✨