Pro-active about tree?

[Michaela G.]

I'm closing on a house this week and the empty lot next door has a couple of trees that are being smothered with ivy. The ivy has grown all the way to the top and trees are next to my house.

I'm planning to approach the owner's widow after I closed, letting her know about the ivy and asking her to hire someone to cut off the ivy, as the trees would fall onto my house, if they lose the fight. 

Chances are that they won't do anything. I'd love to buy the lot (have been told by another neighbor that they won't sell).

Can I hire someone to cut the ivy, if they won't do it, and then take them to court to get the funds back? And can I put a lien against the property and later push for foreclosure, if they don't reimburse me? 

Or do I actually have to wait until the trees fall before I can force them to do anything?