Disputes with neighbors have long been sitcom fodder, and one social media post may have just brought some sad inspiration to the writing room.
TikToker Caleb (@caleb_henckel) shared a 21-second clip on the social media platform detailing how a homeowner thought a neighbor’s tree was too close to their house.
Their solution? Cut a “good-sized notch” out of the trunk.
“It’s an unfortunate outcome that neighbors don’t get along,” Caleb wrote in the caption. “The structural integrity and future health of this large tree is now compromised.”
The pranks of feuding neighbors often play well on television, but commenters pointed out that the person who damaged the tree may have created a less funny real-life situation for themselves.
One person wrote: “Just leave it long enough and they’ll have the whole tree.”
“This would weaken the tree, possibly enough to fall on their house,” another said.
The Weather Channel notes that there aren’t many studies on deaths caused by trees, but it cites a 2008 study that showed more than 400 people died from “wild-associated tree falls” from 1995 to 2007.
The trunk is the primary support that keeps the tree upright and also helps carry nutrients to other parts of the plant, and damage to the base can leave the tree vulnerable to pests and fungi.
While one tree may not seem like a huge loss, zooming out can provide more perspective on this seemingly trivial controversy.
Deforestation is a major problem, with an estimated 420 million hectares (more than 1 billion acres) of forest lost globally since 1990, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Replacing trees isn’t a quick process either, since most species take many years to mature — at which point they can absorb more than 48 pounds of planet-warming carbon dioxide each year, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.
Without further information, it’s unclear if the dispute is still ongoing, but hopefully neighbors can resolve the situation in a way that keeps everyone safe and prevents further damage to nature.
Other TikTok users had a range of emotions about the situation, with some wondering if the house was actually younger than the damaged tree.
“Sadly, the tree may have been there long before the house,” one commenter speculated.
“Be a responsible tree owner and keep the branches on your own land!!!” wrote another.
“No! The house is [too] Get close to the tree! ” said another.
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