Three Ways To Stop Neighbors Leaves From Blowing In Your Yard

When you’re shopping around for a house, one of the deciding factors is often the neighbors. How close houses are, whether or not the yards are separated in any way, and other things play a role. If your house is close to your neighbor, when Autumn comes around you might wonder how to stop your neighbors’ leaves from blowing in your yard.

To stop neighbors’ leaves from blowing in your yard you can ask them to trim their trees and discuss the issue with your neighbors. You can also install a wood or wire mesh fence to block leaves from blowing into your yard. Legally, you’re responsible for the leaves that end up in your yard, not your neighbors.

When you take the time to landscape and maintain your yard, ending up with piles of leaves that aren’t yours is undoubtedly a hassle. But, it doesn’t have to be a continuing problem. This guide will teach you about different fence ideas and give you other tips that keep leaves in their place.

As a homeowner, you’re likely well aware of the responsibilities you’re handed when you get the keys to your home. Are you educated on what’s your responsibility, and what’s your neighbors when it comes to yard care?

Under the law, falling leaves are considered a natural product and aren’t a liability for the tree owner. It doesn’t matter if it’s your tree or not; if the leaves fall into your yard, they’re your issue. Likewise, if your leaves are blowing into your neighbor’s yard, it’s technically out of your hands.

Don’t despair if you end up with a pile of leaves in your yard. There are a few things you can try to minimize the occurrence and stop neighbors’ leaves blowing in your yard.

Before getting upset or frustrated, have an open conversation with your neighbor. I get it, not everyone is friendly, and many people like to keep to themselves. If your neighbors’ leaves blowing into your yard is bothering you, it’s best to bring it up to them.

For all you know, your neighbor doesn’t even notice. On the other hand, your neighbor may also be having similar issues with leaves from your yard. Either way, have a civil discussion about your options.

If your leaves are blowing their way, tell them what you plan on doing to reduce the number of leaves that blow into their yard. This is a good opportunity to see if they have any ideas as well.

Whether you plan to install a fence or cut up the leaves with a lawnmower, discuss all options. Your neighbor will hopefully be willing to come to an agreement with you to solve the issue.

One of the biggest ways to reduce the number of leaves that blow into your yard is to trim the trees. After speaking with your neighbor, if they don’t like the idea of trimming the tree, dig deeper. Do they just not want to do the work?

It might be worth your sanity to offer to trim the trees for them. If they agree to this, make sure to get it in writing. Or, if cost is the issue, perhaps they are willing to split the cost with you to hire a professional tree trimming service.

No matter how you end up getting the job done, trimming trees will reduce the overall foliage, cutting down the number of leaves in your yard.

If you’re looking for a more permanent option, a split rail fence is a great choice. A classic split rail will be made entirely of wood. In order to catch leaves, we’re going to add in a mesh that will easily keep you and your neighbor happy.

This is also a great option to keep your pet in your yard, as well. It also keeps out predators and provides a natural-looking perimeter. The materials are inexpensive, and the installation could be done in an afternoon.

One of the more classic fence options is a chain link. They’re made of thick steel wires that are bent and hooked together. This is an excellent option if you’re working with a tight budget but still want to install a fence. Add mesh to the fence as an extra barrier against smaller leaves.

While it doesn’t add any privacy, it can keep leaves from blowing out of your yard. If you’re looking for privacy, consider planting an ivy or climbing plant at the base of the fence. Another great thing about chain links is that it can be painted any color to fit your preferred aesthetic.

You can also install a traditional wooden fence to keep leaves out of your yard. If you prefer to save some money, how does it sound to build a fence for free?

You can create a pallet fence by picking up old pallets at nurseries or construction sites. You can also create a manger as well; there’s a lot of versatility that comes with using this material.

Pallets can be installed horizontally or vertically. You can paint them any color or leave them as-is for a more natural look. It’s essential to be aware that pallets are more likely to have random nails and areas that could cause splinters; handle with care.

Related Questions

How do you keep leaves from blowing away?

If you’ve raked up a big pile of leaves, you’ll want to keep them from blowing everywhere. You don’t want to be that neighbor. What you can do is invest in a “no-clog” rake that saves you time when collecting them around your yard. Always be sure to rake WITH the wind, and downhill whenever possible. You have two options to keep them from blowing away. You can either bag them up in large yard bags, or you can stomp throughout the pile, pushing them into the ground. 

Can I just mow over my leaves?

Not many people enjoy raking up all of the fallen leaves throughout their yard, especially if you have a lot of acreage. Something you can do to save time and effort is to mow over the leaves. This chops them up into small pieces and works like a charm if you have a grass catcher on the back of your mower. The gas catcher will collect the leaves as you mow. The leaves that aren’t gathered can decompose naturally on your lawn. It’s important to note that wet leaves don’t chop well and can easily clog things like leaf vacuums and rakes. 

Who is liable if a tree falls on a neighbor’s property?

Even though you’re not responsible for the leaves that blow into your neighbor’s yard, they do have some rights. For example, if your tree’s limbs go over into their yard, they have the right to trim them. Your neighbor can only trim them up until the property line. However, when a tree or any other plant falls over into your neighbor’s yard, the neighbor needs to submit a claim to his or her insurance company. This needs to be done as soon as possible. The insurance company will then take care of any damage if there is anything. If you’re dealing with a tree that produces fruit, they can’t pick any off of the tree. But, they can collect and keep any fruit that happens to fall into their yard.