Turmoil is taking root over trees in an east Medford neighborhood.
Residents said 20-60ft trees are threatening to fall on their homes and property.
Trees are what’s pitting neighbor against neighbor in an east Medford neighborhood.
“They’re leaning and destroying the fence,” said neighbor Laurie Surryhne.
“I’m very concerned they’re going to come into my home and hurt me, my husband, our animals,” she continued.
The trees were blown over from a storm a few months back.
“There’s a very large pine that needs to come out and it looks like it could take out the neighbor’s house,” said Surryhne.
“If it would come this way it would go through my cover and onto my house,” said neighbor Tom Beck.
“I’d rather pay to take it down myself […] I’m not too interested in having animosity between me and my neighbors,” continued Beck.
But Laurie Surryhne said she’s limited with what she can do.
“I don’t have a large income […] You don’t do this to people you live next to,” she said.
Surryhne said she’s also concerned because if a tree does fall on her home, insurance won’t cover the damage…because the tree didn’t fall during a storm.
Medford code enforcement officials said they can’t do much either.
“The only time the city would get involved is if it’s a large tree and it was creating an immediate risk, a hazard to human life,” said Sgt. Derek Parks of the Medford Police Department.
“Neighbors need to work together,” he continued.
But Surryhne said the property owner hasn’t gotten back to her
“I don’t know what to do anymore.”
The property owner did not want to speak on camera, but she said she recognizes the trees are a problem and she plans to get rid of them. However, she said, it won’t be until her neighbors speak with her civilly in person.
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