Real Estate

A vine grows in Brooklyn

If it weren’t for the thick, dead vine coiled around a pole on the property of the building next to mine, I would have an unobstructed view of the Statue of Liberty from my bedroom. Is there a mannerly way for me to free up that vista? — Genevieve C., Park Slope

If the vine is coiled around a utility pole, start by contacting the power company. Alternately, have you spoken with the management office of the building next to you? Although a dead vine might not be high on their list of concerns, if you offer to pay for this eyesore’s removal (by a qualified service of their choosing), you can spare them a potential headache later. Make the whole thing so easy that they can’t possibly say no. And while paying for someone else’s pruning might seem a bit rich, the lookout on Lady Liberty sounds like it will be lovely, and well worth the price.

The neighbor down the hall from me still has a Christmas wreath on her door. Is there a delicate way for me to tell her that this dried-out decoration has got to go? —Josephine K., Edgewater, NJ

Apparently she concurs with Johnny Mathis, who famously sang of the prettiest sight to see (a k a “the holly on your own front door”). Not to play the Grinch here, but I’m with you. This yuletide flourish is well past its prime, and your neighbor needs to embrace spring. If you’re friendly with her, tell her how much you appreciate her seasonal spiritedness, but wonder whether she’d entertain putting up something else in place of this no-longer green evergreen. Then, just pray the crocus-ringed extravaganza she hangs in its place isn’t still there come October.

In front of our building is a tree pit where members of my co-op plant flowers and small greenery. Unfortunately, these always perish quickly, thanks to the dog owners who allow their pets to urinate there. Any recommendations? —Brett U., West Village

With 92,720 registered dogs in the five boroughs in 2012 (according to the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene), and an estimated 400,000-plus that are unregistered, there’s a whole lot of No. 1 being done on the streets of New York. And since there are far more tree pits in the city than fire hydrants, simple math explains why man’s best friend is not always a begonia’s best bud.

Start by planting a “Please Respect Our Garden & Curb Your Dog” sign along with your flowers — although I wouldn’t hold out great hope that this posted guilt trip will prove the antidote you desire. After a while, such messages simply become part of the landscape. A second course of action would be to line the insides of the tree barrier with Plexiglas. Before doing so, however, consult with a gardening expert, because you don’t want to do anything that will save your tulips but hurt the health of the tree they are adorning.

Next up: Sounds that confound. Got a question? E-mail me at testingthemarketnyc @gmail.com or tweet me @MisterManners.