If my neighbor abandons their home - is it illegal for me to trim their trees without written permission?

Probably, if only because of insurance liability. What would happen if one of the tree trimmers falls and breaks his leg on their side of the fence? Why not just trim the branches overhanging your yard, and leave the rest of the tree alone?

Send a letter to the neighbor. Give them a deadline to cut the trees or you will do it. Put the bank on notice as well.

You do need the neighbor's permission. It does not have to be in writing.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.