Fruit Tree Horror Story

[Julian R]

Figured I'd share a nightmare incarnate that happened to me yesterday. Neighbor came over to ask if they could take some rosemary cuttings and decided that they would take some off of my newly grafted sweet tart mango tree while they were out of line of sight... except they didn't use shears or a knife or anything. They just ripped the branch off! Needless to say I was quite upset but I did attempt to re-attach the ripped off limb with some buddy tape and reinforced them with a splint. I don't have high hopes for the new growth on the graft but it's been about 24 hrs now and still looks OK so hopefully it heals. 2 legged squirrels really are the worst.

[mahraja786]

Just reading this story makes me feel so annoyed and frustrated for you. I hope and pray your mango heals well.

[johnb51]

Damn, people are effing crazy! 

[FL Boy]

You usually either have great neighbors or effed up neighbors.  Amazes me how when you give an inch, some take a mile.  I had an older fella always say when appropriate, "No good deed goes unpunished."

[The Herb Swamp]

Ok, yeah that would piss me off. You should plant some mysore raspberries around your most precious trees. They’ll keep ‘em away for sure! 😂

[gnappi]

Since they asked I don't think they were being aholes, just uninformed. I would have  cut them myself and given what they wanted steering clear of trees that should not be cut explaining why.

[Julian R]

Since they asked I don't think they were being aholes, just uninformed. I would have  cut them myself and given what they wanted steering clear of trees that should not be cut explaining why.

They were definitely not trying to be malicious - just clueless. I did let them know I was upset and they were apologetic... but it doesn't really make anything better. Unfortunately I don't think the branch is going to come back, it looked a bit shriveled when I check again this afternoon. The only light here is that they did this above the healed graft union so it may push out so long as it makes it through the cold this year.

[TropicalFruitHunters]

Apologetic because they were caught.  They asked for rosemary cuttings then helped themselves to your mango without you being around.  Ripping the branch absolutely indicates a malicious act whether it was out of cluelessness or not.  I'm all for keeping good relations with neighbors, but that trust has been broken.  If they did this after asking, I would be concerned what they might have done when you were not around.  It's a good lesson for all though.  Next time, if there is a next time, tell the neighbor you will get them the cuttings yourself.  I would not allow them in the yard unsupervised again.

[Daintree]

Oh man, that IS a horror story! Most of my stuff is in my backyard greenhouse, but I realized too late that I planted my pawpaw trees too close to the sidewalk. They had their first fruits this year, and I was worried sick the whole time that someone would “help themselves”!

[Julian R]

Apologetic because they were caught.  They asked for rosemary cuttings then helped themselves to your mango without you being around.  Ripping the branch absolutely indicates a malicious act whether it was out of cluelessness or not.  I'm all for keeping good relations with neighbors, but that trust has been broken.  If they did this after asking, I would be concerned what they might have done when you were not around.  It's a good lesson for all though.  Next time, if there is a next time, tell the neighbor you will get them the cuttings yourself.  I would not allow them in the yard unsupervised again.

Self-service is definitely off the table from now on.

Oh man, that IS a horror story! Most of my stuff is in my backyard greenhouse, but I realized too late that I planted my pawpaw trees too close to the sidewalk. They had their first fruits this year, and I was worried sick the whole time that someone would “help themselves”!

It's absolutely an issue if people know what the fruit is. Have had several solicitors or other transient folks in the neighborhood steal guavas off my tree out front over the years. Typically they steal ones that are unripe or likely full of worms... so not the worst.  They tend to leave the ones that I've bagged. Though... strangely enough I've not had an issue with people stealing peaches or plums which are close to the sidewalk and folks don't even know to look at the grumichama.

[spaugh]

What were they trying to do with the mango branch? 

[Julian R]

I think they thought they could grow it from a cutting like rosemary.

[johnb51]

I think they thought they could grow it from a cutting like rosemary.

Ha ha!  That's my 91-year-old mother-in-law.  She tries to do that with everything!  Just sticks a branch in the ground.