I have to think they would be appreciative, even if caught a bit off guard. I know I would not be expecting it, even given the earlier conversation described.
I read the accounts of similar neighborly attempts being met with reserve due to flower bed mowing and attempted removal of intentional "undesirable trees", and am reminded of my own receiving of a favor that was not entirely appreciated.
I was in college and had made arrangements with a local jeweler to do a paper comparing and contrasting his operations with a competitor who had a different operating methodology. I was very thankful that they were allowing me access to parts of their operation that were quite sensitive and around stacks of merchandise that were quite expensive. It was a bit intimidating to stand in a diamond vault with open boxes of gemstones sitting out on tables waiting to be graded. I had to conciously prevent myself from automatically reverting by to my mother's instruction and putting my hands in my pockets to prevent touching. :laughing:
As the tour ended, the jeweler did me a favor of polishing my wedding band for me. It was an inexpensive band, but it had an unusual finish on it that had a rough, nugget type surface that gave it a distinctive appearance. When I got it back after cleaning and polishing, that surface had been removed and the raised areas were now a bright shiny smooth surface. I really liked it much better before, but did not wish to offend my host by complaining about the favor he had done me.
I can see how doing your neighbors a favor without their input might lead to accidentally doing damage or messing up their plans for the yard, but the risks were low in this case as far as I can see.
