Picking Lemons - thoughts?
 

There is a house a few down from mine. Right in the yard there is a very lush lemon tree with a ton of ripe fruit.

The house has a "For Rent" sign and is currently empty.

I STOLE two lemons tonight from it (went great with a nice broiled "Jerk Cod" and some blackened corn and balsamic braised spinach)...

But, what is the protocol? Knock and ask? Neighbors said that in a week or two people will have boxes out with ripe lemons that say "Free" (not SA)....

I think it would be more appropriate to wait until the "free"boxes are out (or go to Publix) rather than trespass on someone's private property.

My neighbors have a standing invitation to pick any and all fruit they desire from my trees. If I saw an uninvited stranger picking from my tree I would consider it inappropriate. You should ask first. That being said, I don’t know if TV has a culture of anyone can pick any tree. If it is acceptable in TV than ignore my statement that it’s inappropriate.

I would ask first, I can’t imagine anyone would say no.

Thanks - only reason I did is that it is a vacant rental. Not sure if anyone will be in it within the coming months/weeks. Plus, it was two of hundreds of lemons ready for the pickin'

I would try to find out who owns the home and call them. They may welcome you picking all of the lemons and sharing them with the neighborhood rather than leaving them on the tree to rot.

Thanks for the advice all - I will get the number and call. I have met the landlord a time or two, they are the only short term rental on the block. The rest of us all are "extended family"...if only all of the Villages acted like my neighborhood does....

Concern for uneaten fruit is vermin. Hoping there is a homewatch person to ask, otherwise rotting fruit is just asking for problems.

Where are these neighborhoods that put out free boxes of fruit as I have never seen any. I have to admit I would love to try any truely home grown fruit. If it was really good I could see me going out buying my own fruit tree.

Few weeks ago there was one with mangoes on Lisbon and Leone....

Another neighbor has two orange trees and is NOT looking forward to what he calls "the mess it makes". The pineapples went fast in the "hood".

The lemon tree by me has seriously as many lemons as an Oak would have acorns. That is just one of many (and only about 3' from the road).

Lemons yesterday at Publix was $1.69 for two and have "California" stickers on them.....

If you fell on the property would you think you have a right to sue the owner.