GLADSTONE LEMON TREE NOW SUBJECT OF THREE SURVEYORS, TWO LAWYERS, AND A LAMINATED SIGN

A lemon tree straddling the boundary between two Gladstone properties has triggered what one neighbour is describing as "a full bloody jurisdictional matter", with both households now refusing to acknowledge each other at the letterbox.

The tree, planted in 1998 by a previous owner now believed to be in Te Anau, has roots on one side of the fence and the majority of its fruit hanging over the other. Both households claim ownership. Neither will accept a split.

Gail Pomare, 58, who lives on the side with the roots, said the matter was "not about lemons". "It's about principle. He took six off the low branch in April without asking. Six. I counted. I've got photos with timestamps."

Her neighbour, Roger Esler, 61, said Gail was "carrying on like a knob" and that any lemon hanging over his fence was, per common law, his. He has laminated a sign to this effect and cable-tied it to the trunk. The sign is on Gail's side of the fence.

Invercargill City Council confirmed it had received "correspondence" from both parties but said boundary trees were a civil matter and council had "no appetite for citrus arbitration". A spokesperson added the southerly would likely sort most of the disputed fruit out by Thursday.

The tree, as of Wednesday, has 14 lemons remaining. Gail has put a tarpaulin under the branches on her side. Roger has put a tarpaulin on top of hers.