Neighbor hates a tree

[Stephen Shelton]

I have a SFR where an older couple just bought the neighboring house. They've improved the look of the landscaping, but they approached my tenant about the leaves that drop from one of my trees.

It's a deciduous tree that sheds large leaves (size of a large hand), but they fall off en mass in the fall (it's dirty in the fall). Basically it's a northern style tree in FL. It's an oddball here.

My tenant did not give them my contact info, but the neighbors want to talk with me about it.

The tree is healthy, and survived recent hurricanes like a champ. So what legal ground do they have to make me do anything?   This is Florida BTW.

I have no idea what to expect from the conversation, but want to be prepared.

Also, no one likes this tree but me, but this has already got me thinking of cutting it down and replacing it with a red-leaf crepe myrtle that has caught my eye.

[Brandon Roof]

I unfortunately don't know what, if any, legal grounds there are regarding the tree, but you have a couple different avenues to explore.  If you're prepared to dig your heels in on the issue, your neighbor knew the tree existed prior to their purchase and now they are trying to change the rules of the game.  It's like knowing somebody's faults, marrying them and expecting them to change later.  It just doesn't work that way.

If, however, you are considering its removal, and your neighbors are coming in on the same page, I think it presents the perfect opportunity to get them to contribute to its associated costs.