Are Manners a Thing of the Past?

In our individualistic society, yes it is odd that they feel freely compelled to do so.

But I believe we should be living more communally so I don't see it as a bad thing. If it were my tree I would be open to anyone taking from it, especially to feed their children.

In a society where we have these strong ideas of ownership and property (ideas not shared in other parts of the world mind you) I can understand why it would make you uncomfortable. However, they are not harming you or anyone else, they are using resources you aren't using all of, and they are even trying to care for your tree (perhaps poorly). Your feelings are just of violation based on this idea of private property. So I would encourage you to have a generous heart and allow them to continue. Or at the very least have a discussion with them. I certainly would not cut down trees over this.

Can you say trespassing? You need to obviously say something or have an officer convey the message for you.

that right there is why i live in the country!!
people dont just come up in your yard where i live they come up and have to common courtisy to knock on the door..
especially since i live alone and im not afraid to be that crazy with the gun..
i wouldnt really shoot nobody,i would shoot in the air..haha,that'll teach em!

all these "call the cops" responses are a little disturbing

Agreed.

*Deleted bc OP posted what I was going to

I think you should say something to them (they are definitely crossing neighbourly boundaries).

Something along the lines of "I've noticed that you are interested in the fruit from my trees. When I pick it, I'll definitely bring some over to you"

When you pick it, send them over a bag. It might keep them from coming over and harvesting themselves.

I think the poster I wanted to quote got deleted, but I will say what she said, that is about PRIVATE property.

I think the idea posted about picking a bag and bringing them over is great. I agree that I don't want people in my yard, especially people I'm clearly not friendly with.

But if they hop your fence to get at your cherries, that is terrible. No excuse for that.

wow yeah that's rude. we had fruits trees in our backyard and sometimes neighbors would try and sneak and get some. you know what my mom did? turned the hose on and sprayed them with water.. same as she did with the rabbits who tried to eat her flowers. she trid telling them to ask first but when they wouldnt comply, they got treated like any of the other wild animals caught digging up her garden. after getting sprayed mercilessly they never returned :laugh:

it's one thing to ask but it's another to just come over and take. i'd hose them down and remind them that you dont live on a freaking commune. of course my mom's reaction was that it has nothing to do with the fruit, but qui vole un oeuf, vole un boeuf (translation someone who'd steal an egg would also steal a cow). so people helping themselves to your fruit can very easily end up with then helping themselves to anything else you leave outside.


so yeah, hose them down. even if they do have their baby with them :laugh:

If it were me then ai would ptobably have a chat withbthem and ask them to let you know when they wanted to pick sone fruit etc. They may not realize that they aee being rude.