Homeowners might have to pay damages for harm their trees cause to a neighbor’s property. Illustration photo by Unsplash
I used to love the tree’s shade and its red figs, but that feeling quickly disappeared after my neighbor demanded compensation for the fence it damaged.
I used to have a fig tree on my property, and when I planted it, I never imagined it could cause so much trouble. I only thought it would provide shade and ripe red fruit that looked pleasant.
That changed the day a section of my neighbor’s fence collapsed and the brick tiles in their yard were cracked by the tree’s roots. I felt extremely guilty.
When they demolished the fence and replaced the tiles, I had to grit my teeth and pay them VND20 million (US$763) in compensation to maintain good relations with my neighbor. To prevent further problems, I also decided to cut down the once-lush fig tree.
I considered the payment the price I paid for my own delay. I should have handled the issue earlier and cut the tree down as soon as I saw the risk. But I kept thinking that “it will probably be fine” and postponed it. After many years, when the consequences finally emerged, the cost was not just money but also the feeling of guilt and a strained relationship with my neighbor.
That incident made me think more broadly about what I do on my property and its impact on others’. Just because the tree sat on my land does not mean its consequences are contained within my own property.
When we plant a tree in our yard or place a few potted plants in front of the house on the sidewalk, we often only see the visible benefits such as shade or beautiful flowers. We forget about the hidden impacts that may appear later. Leaves and fruit may fall into a neighbor’s yard, roots may push up against walls or crack foundations. When that happens, arguments over what is right and wrong can become exhausting.
Looking back, my initial carelessness and habit of ignoring small, simmering problems made me pay the price.
The lesson I learned is not just about the hidden price, but also about looking beyond immediate benefits. You have to take long-term impacts into account for anything in your living space, be it plants, pets or renovations.
If there is a potential risk, dealing with it early is always cheaper and easier than dealing with the consequences later.
*This opinion was submitted by a reader. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.
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