AIO - tree trimming with circular saw
Today, I was working on some stuff in my garage and driveway when I saw my neighbor's teenaged sons get set up to do some trimming of their tree. Didn't pay much attention until I heard the unmistakable whine of a circular saw. Sure enough, one boy was holding the ladder while the other had the saw up over his head, trying to cut through a branch.
The blade was obviously dull as it kept jamming up and stalling. I go over and ask if they'd like a hand. The one with the saw tries to brush me off with a no thanks, so I respond, "You're using a circular saw?"
I tell them, point blank, "that's really not safe."
He replies with something about just using what he has available.
The kid had the branch almost cut all the way and was trying to twist it off. I offer my Japanese hand pullsaw (really great at this kind of stuff, BTW). He takes it, and sure enough, he gets it down with a couple quick strokes. I let them borrow the saw for whatever else they wanted to trim.
They take the offer, but didn't seem too thrilled with being told what they were doing was pretty unsafe. But, later that afternoon, they were enjoying the day with all fingers still where they should be. My golfing buddy said I shouldn't have meddled and just let them be dumb kids.
Was I overstepping my boundaries?
Reddit consensus: NOT OVERREACTING (NOR) (100% confidence)
Top comment: “I don't know what's up with your golfing buddy but I see nothing wrong with keeping people from having to go to the emergency room. NOR”
Notable explanation: “NOR: You did the right thing. Where were their parents? That's pretty dangerous for teenagers to be doing alone.
They may not have appreciated it, but you did a good thing. Their limbs are intact. You're a good neighbor.”
View on Reddit
Originally shared by Hippieangst77 on r/AmIOverreacting on June 1st, 2026 at 3:52 AM UTC. Credit to u/This_Daydreamer_ and u/Elegant-Opinion-9595 for the quoted comments.
