Apparently Los Angeles city law is similar to our own in that any tree limb that branches over a dividing fence becomes the property of the receiving person. If that branch happens to carry a load of fruit then the fruit becomes the property of the person who has it hanging in their yard.
“Possession is nine-tenths of the law”
But what happens when the branch hangs over council property? It becomes public fruit.
Three local professors; Dave Burns, Matias Viegener, and Austin Young came across this archaic law and began mapping where this fruit was. Lemons, figs, loquats, avocados, persimmons, bananas, peaches and the list goes on.
The public can add trees to their map or use it to locate fruit that’s in season.
I am searching for legislation that states the policy which allows for the taking of fruit from private property if it hangs into public land. Can you help me find this? Also, does this carry over into agriculture as well? If an avacado tree hangs over the property’s fence on the side of a highway, can I legally take the fruit that is hanging on the side of a highway? Where is the legislature that allows for this? By the way, I am searching for relevance to Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Thank you.