I live in Coconut Grove and my yard (as well as the yards along my entire block of Crystal View Court) backs up to L'Hermitage, a large walled in community.

They have a line of trees planted along the wall. Running parallel to the wall on the north side, which is where I live, are the FPL and phone company lines. I have lived in my home since 2001 and a number of times, FPL has contracted with Asplundh to trim the trees which at times fully engulf the wires.

Currently, the trees are more overgrown than ever before. Not only are they completely encroaching the wires, but in my case they are hanging very low into my yard and touching the roof of my house. I have seen rats walking along the branches and then following the wires onto the roof of my house.

I have contacted the property manager at L'Hermitage, FPL, and AT&T regarding the need to trim the trees multiple times. L'Hermitage feels that FPL should undertake the job. FPL has sent someone out twice and both times told me that they don't think their lines will be damaged by the trees in the event of a storm and therefore will not take action. AT&T basically said the same thing. I am concerned about hiring someone myself to trim the trees in my yard because I don't want to be responsible in the event that they were electrocuted while doing the job or if they accidentally damaged the lines.

As I understand it, an easement of land on either side of the electrical and phone lines belongs to FPL, so I believe they should be responsible for maintaining their property.

-- Jill Shapiro Miller, Miami

A.We forwarded your issue to FPL spokeswoman Sarah Marmion, who said FPL sent an arborist to meet with you.

She said that L'Hermitage is responsible for a row of black olive trees on their side of the wall, which have grown over the fence, with branches hanging over your property.

``FPL does not own the easement, and cannot be responsible for maintaining the trees on private property,'' Marmion said. ``FPL contractors have and will continue to trim branches that are near power lines, and we expect to complete our portion of the tree-trimming job by the end of this week.''

The arborist agreed to explain the issue to L'Hermitage if you are unable to.

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