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Dear Abby: Last year, we renovated our house. We now have a south-facing roof that is ready for the installation of solar panels. Our utility company has an incentive program to lower the cost of the equipment, but it ends in six months. The only thing holding us back is the next-door neighbors’ old, tall tree that shades our roof where the panels would go. The tree is cracked and has been coming down in sections over the last several years. Previous owners of the house had to repair their front windows and gutter after a large branch came crashing down in a storm. The current owners are a young couple with a small baby. We have had occasional, friendly driveway conversations but don’t really know them. Would it be presumptuous to ask if they would be willing to let us pay to have their tree removed? People can be prickly about their property. But maybe they wouldn’t mind someone else covering what is probably an inevitable cost. We want to continue having a friendly relationship, while also moving forward with our project. Thoughts? -- UPGRADING IN NORTH CAROLINA Dear Upgrading: Because you have a cordial relationship with these neighbors, it shouldn’t be offensive to point out that their tree presents a problem. When you do, tell them that a falling branch had damaged their front windows and gutter, which caused an expensive repair. Explain that the cracks in the tree could present a danger to their little one, then volunteer that you are more than willing to pay the cost of having it removed. Read more from Dear Abby Dear Abby: Sister’s cheap, thoughtless gifts leave kids disappointed Dear Abby: Family rift forms after great-grandparent misses special moment Dear Abby: Man says mother-in-law called him “an awful human being” after boundary dispute Dear Abby: Neighbor says fireplace is ruining her health, homeowner unsure what to do See all “Dear Abby” columns
