Seattle: Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle picks and donates neighborhood fruit to local food banks with help from volunteers. Then again, you might need a lawyer to establish this right. Mangoes and, further along, citrus overhangs a public lane from private backyards. If you are moving across state lines or travelling, check the state's regulations on the importation of fresh fruit. as long as you do not harm the tree. In fact, there are maps on the Internet compiled by so-called urban foragers marking trees for picking. Taking fruit from trees overhanging public areas? The best place to find this information is on the state's department of agriculture website. "If fruit hangs over from your neighbor's tree into your yard, then that fruit is technically yours or you can cut those branches out. The principal is used widely (well at least in California and Louisiana) to justify "sidewalk foraging". A couple of the tree's branches are dangling over the fence on to your property. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. Davis fruit trees are featured in … Under state laws, foragers can harvest the overhanging fruit. So long as you can pick the fruit without infringing on the owners real property you should be on pretty firm ground. you may trim the tree, etc. Property expert Ross Clark replies: You have the right to pick the apples, and to prune any part of the branch that is overhanging your garden. Generally speaking, the answer is going to depend entirely on who owns the land on which the tree was planted. The next door neighbour's orange tree is absolutely loaded with fruit. > Can I pick and eat fruit from an overhanging branch? 17th October 2019. Strictly speaking, Diserens said the law allows for people to pick fruit if a tree hangs over on their property or in a public space, like a sidewalk. Can you pick the fruit for yourself? That fruit overhanging into your property does belong to you, at least in Hawaii. Riverside, California: Where the city slogan is "City Of Trees" Urban Fruit Harvesting uses Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace to get the word out and find new trees. As to fruit astounding over a public sidewalk, i discover it complicated to have faith all people might report a lawsuit over choosing fruit. If the state has import restrictions for your chosen fruit, avoid bringing that kind of fruit with you on your trip. 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