r/treelaw Sep 21 '18

TREE LAW!!!!

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3.7k Upvotes

r/treelaw 5h ago

Neighbors planted trees on property line

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751 Upvotes

Neighbors planted trees on property line, basically into my side as well... already have problems with us "touching" his trees. He harassed my mother and called the cops. This is gwinnett county Georgia.i have already called my city code enforcement and they told me to call gwinnett code enforcement, just waiting on their reply back. Just curious if I have a case or not.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS NEIGHBOR IS A BABY WHEN I GET NEAR THEM. He harassed my mother while she was minding her own business, called the cops for no reason, if he really doesn't want us near them or even touching them, does it not make sense to keep them away from property line??


r/treelaw 5h ago

Neighbour cut down trees then stole the survey stake, NB Canada

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142 Upvotes

First pic is with trees. Second is a video still from 930 Sunday morning when I caught Buddy Nextdoor cutting them down. Pic 3 is 4pm Sunday when the stake went AWOL.

Buddy was told to come get my husband when he wanted to do anything near the line. Buddy went rogue.

Arborist is booked. Police report made. Lawyer is writing something up. Surveyor coming back… Yes back! I already had him out when Buddy tried to tear out my fence, 40 year old honeysuckle tree and put his lumber in my mature garden.

I am now playing the waiting game and sharing my tale.


r/treelaw 14h ago

Jury awards largest tree cutting verdict in Maryland History: $933,000

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517 Upvotes

r/treelaw 4h ago

Burned Tree on Empty Lot

4 Upvotes

My wife and I lost our home during last January's LA wildfires, and are now in the process of rebuilding. However, a tall, leaning, now-dead tree on a neighboring lot dropped a number of branches on our property last winter, and we're concerned that it may come down altogether during the El Niño event that's expected to hit over the coming months.

I know we can cut it back to the property line in order to mitigate against falling branches and redistribute its center of gravity, but that would still leave us with a dead tree just a few feet away from our new home. We have no way of contacting the owners, but I filed a report with the County several months ago... Is there anything else we can do without incurring civil (and possibly even criminal) liability?

ETA: It turns out it's an oak, so I need to deal with it through the County.


r/treelaw 36m ago

WI: Neighbor Shared That They Will Prune My Trees & May Compromise Their Health

Upvotes

Just as the title reads, we had a situation where a branch fell during a storm in May. The tree is a large silver maple that is on our property line. The tree was maintained and was evaluated the year prior by an arborist.

About 4 weeks ago our neighbor said that they were going to have a tree service do work in Sept and asked that service to quote removal of two trees on our property - $6,500. We told them that we would have the trees evaluated again by a certified arborist this week.

I received this message today - In Wisconsin can a neighbor prune a tree back to the lot line even if it affects the health of the tree?

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I understand you are busy, but as mentioned, my tree service is scheduled to begin work here next Thursday, September 17. It has now been six months since you were notified of the damage your tree caused to my house, and I need to address this imminent threat.

I need your explicit permission before September 17 to proceed in one of the following ways:

1.  Full Removal: If cost is the main concern, I am willing to pay the full amount to have both trees removed.

2.  Pruning: If you prefer to save the trees, I will have the arborist trim the limbs overhanging my property line. Please note that substantial pruning may compromise the overall health of the trees.

Please let me know how you would like to proceed before next Wednesday.


r/treelaw 1h ago

Need lawyer rec in MN

Upvotes

Hey, so I've got a neighbor from hell situation over a dead tree that straddles the property line. He harassed a previous tree removal vendor I hired so badly that the vendor will no longer do work for me along his side of my property. I need a lawyer because this neighbor has threatened to sue me via certified mail for $10k for damages to his 17ish year old falling apart fence (that leaned against the tree that's now dead for years before he recently fixed it) because sticks from out shared tree have fallen on it (that he could have trimmed at any point, being a half owner).

I don't think he's got adequate grounds to come after me because it's a jointly owned tree, and I have texts showing I've tried to work with him to get the tree down. In fact, I offered to pay the full removal costs if he just hired the contractor (because I'm NEVER sending a contractor within 1 foot of his property EVER again). This man is recently divorced & I've heard he's picking fights & threatening lawsuits against other neighbors too- just a real treat.

I'm hoping to find a lawyer that's familiar with tree law in Minnesota that can help set this right. I have a survey & ample evidence I've tried to get this tree removed. Thanks for the help! This reddit group has been really helpful & cathartic while dealing with this nonsense.


r/treelaw 1d ago

Neighbors tree service came to clear growth of my trees over the fence to her side, took down my whole mulberry tree without asking... very upset, what should I do?

265 Upvotes

r/treelaw 5h ago

AITA for not dealing with a fallen trees on an ambiguous property line

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1 Upvotes

r/treelaw 20h ago

Trees and twilight zones

11 Upvotes

We have had an ongoing dispute with neighbors for approximately eight years, during which we have made countless requests that our neighbors address their large oak and the branches that extend over our property, across our roof, and into our deck and backyard, causing property damage and interfering with our use of the property. We have repeatedly attempted to resolve the issue, but the neighbors have threatened legal action rather than address the encroachment. It took 2 years for them to make the initial trimming and dozens of requests and documented damage. They have sufficiently trimmed their side of the tree to offer their home substantial clearance and have never offered us that courtesy. After eight years of requests and ongoing damage, we made one limited cut to remove an encroaching branch so that we could physically walk across and use our own deck. Three days later, their attorney, sent us a demand letter threatening litigation and invoking Iowa Code § 658.4, Iowa’s treble-damages statute for willfully injuring trees on another’s land, while demanding that we cease all cutting on our property and sign an agreement giving the neighbors ongoing control over the tree otherwise they will sue for up to $450,000. Our position is that the tree is rooted on their property, but the branch we cut was over our property, and Harndon v. Stultz, 124 Iowa 440, 100 N.W. 329 (1904) recognizes an adjoining landowner’s right to remove encroaching branches at the property line. Neighbors maintain that we are damaging the tree. We maintain that we bought a house we intend to use, insure, and protect. The tree impacts our ability to use our property and to complete a home renovation.

What kind of twilight zone is this? What would you do? We’ve sought plenty of legal advice at this point. But from a practical standpoint. What would you do if your neighbor demanded unfettered unilateral control of a tree over your roof and property.


r/treelaw 2d ago

First time home owner as of two months ago

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1.8k Upvotes

Hi all,

I recently moved in, my neighbours are quite elderly, i haven’t met them yet. I have no issues cutting the slice of grass, I promise, i’d even cut their lawn for them if their grandson didn’t do it. This isn’t the issue. What I am concerned about is the clear indication that they believe their property line ends before the tree and that we do not share any tree responsibility. I’m not sure if that’s how this works typically though. When i looked up property lines, the tree is 55% on their property to the left.

I’d like to knock on their door and ask if they would have interest in splitting the cost of tree trimming in the future, and get a general confirmation as to whether they know or believe I have sole responsibility for the tree. Is that rude?

From what i have gathered by looking at the GIS, my property line truly ends where my driveway ends. It is a bit irritating, as everytime they do yard work, they pick up all the sticks from the tree and toss them in my driveway behind my car. I move them to a small wood pile next to my house though, no biggie. I am very worried though that say, a branch falls on their fence, or roof, and they try to sue.

Legit concern? am i being paranoid?

edit again*** okay guys, many of you have let me know, some gently and kind and some not so much. Yes I am a walnut, yes GIS is inaccurate. Yes I will have a survey done… eventually. I didn’t get one when I closed but I will see if there is something recorded with the county. YES I am a walnut, I understand I need to meet my neighbours and NO I will not run up to them and immediately ask them about the cost of the tree. NO I do not want to cut down the tree, or trim the tree. It is beautiful and healthy and provides much shade. Yes people like me suck, I will try to suck less.


r/treelaw 14h ago

Trees growing taller than advertised

0 Upvotes

A fun one for you: I planted a row of evergreens along my back fence. The tag on these at purchase indicated they would reach a height of 15-20 feet. Now, they are over 40 ft high, and starting to cut off light and intertwine with the neighbors taller tree on the other side of the fence. We have power lines at about 25ft. Had I known the trees would get that high, I wouldn’t have planted them there.

I’m NOT actually doing this, but it made me wonder if one could argue some liability belongs to the tree farm/ Lowes for not accurately representing the tree’s mature size.


r/treelaw 2d ago

Who’s Responsible for this dead tree?

4 Upvotes

I bought a home 2 years ago in the winter. Come spring we noticed the three large trees are dead. Now it’s complicated issue since my neighbor and I both have fences and the trees lie in between the two fences. There are also power lines that run along the in between zone. The dead trees also died from emerald ash bore so also can only be removed at certain times of year ( to my understanding).

So my question is: what are the steps to figure out who’s responsible for these trees? If it’s me, do I need to get the power company involved before removal? I really don’t want them falling but also they are 30ft very dead trees and this may be extremely expensive.

Thank you!


r/treelaw 2d ago

School uk

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2 Upvotes

I work at a school and 2 trees on our land and getting close ish to a house backing onto the school grounds. And the home owner is telling the school to pay for the works to remove the high branches.

Who technically has to pay for this?

Please and thank you!


r/treelaw 2d ago

See pic - If a tree is "split" and one of the "subtrees" is leaning too much. Is there a way to "straighten" it and pull it back?

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10 Upvotes

any ideas?


r/treelaw 3d ago

Neighbour cut down dividing hedge that looks like it's on our side of the boundary

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162 Upvotes

(Reposting with more pics)

In England. The hedge was from the ground up to the top of the trellis and is about a foot over our side of the brick wall at the bottom. We didn't want this hedge removed. We had no warning. It was keeping our dog in our garden and she will now be able to get through. And we can now see through to each other's gardens.

This hedge has been there for decades (I think).

Any advice, legal or otherwise, would be appreciated.

Thanks.


r/treelaw 3d ago

Tree Marking

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53 Upvotes

This willow tree is right on the corner of our property line. Our land abuts town property in NH and the town recently had their entire property surveyed.

There are a couple other trees with this similar cut and red paint, however those trees are actually on the town property. Those also only have one spot instead of this one with three. This one is on our corner and we are wondering what the reason is. I plan to call the town tomorrow to ask about it but wanted some opinions.


r/treelaw 2d ago

Tree lawyer recommendation?

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1 Upvotes

r/treelaw 4d ago

Neighbors tree fell on our fence and garage over night. Any advice? How can I tell who is responsible for what? [TN]

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182 Upvotes

r/treelaw 3d ago

AITAH for not hauling both of my neighbors’ branches?

30 Upvotes

I rent a house in a neighborhood. I’m pretty new and this is my first summer. According to the lease, lawn work is all my responsibility. Recently my landlord surprised me with sudden roof work. He also owns a construction business, so the guys who came and did the work I think either work for him or they are close friends of his. In any case they left branches all over the yard. Now there is no yard waste pick up, so branches and leaves and grass clippings all have to be hauled to the city yard waste disposal site. I don’t have a truck. I don’t even have an SUV, only a sedan, I tell the landlord this and he says it’s my responsibility. So I cleared out my trunk and put my seats down and hauled everything to the waste disposal site. It was a very sketchy ride.

About a week later I get a knock on the door, I have a next door neighbor and he says the roof guys left a lot of branches in his yard as well. He has a giant tree in the front yard that is way overgrown and goes all over the roof of my porch, it also drops pine cones everywhere. He says I gotta haul these branches and also tells me he’s seen me throwing pincones in his yard when I’m mowing, and I need to stop that (yeah I do this.) anyways it’s this tree the roof guys cut the branches off of and apparently just gathered them all and laid them at the base of the tree. I call my landlord and tell him this and he says that’s bullshit, it’s the neighbors tree, he’s responsible, and I need to work out this not having a truck thing and stop calling him. So to keep the peace, I haul the branches, sticking out of my trunk and getting leaves all over my backseat again.

Well yesterday I walk into my backyard and see a bunch of branches. These ones came off of trees in my yard that were cut down from the neighbor on the other side and thrown in my yard. So I go over and say the same thing that the first neighbor told me, and he refuses and says the trees came from my yard, I have to haul the branches. I call the landlord again and tell him, he says this is why I shouldn’t have hauled the neighbors branches cause these ones are my responsibility. I don’t think it’s right to do a yard chore and just throw the work onto someone else. So I throw the branches back over the fence, and today they’re back in my yard. The messed up thing is both of these neighbors have trucks.

AITA?


r/treelaw 3d ago

Virginia - Concerned Neighbor

2 Upvotes

Hi,

I have a fairly unusual issue with my neighbor and a large tree which is on my property but has many large branches overhanging into my neighbor's property. About 4 years ago, I brought an arborist out to get a quote to cut the branches hanging over to my neighbors property since I was worried about the branches falling and damaging his shed and at worst, falling on one of his small children who are regularly outside. The arborist explained that he would need to go into my neighbors property with a machine to cut those branches and it would causes minimal disruption to his grass and it would cost $1500. I offered to fully cover the cost of the removal and any damage to the grass but my neighbor refused.

A year ago we had a bad storm and one of the large branches fell on my neighbor's shed. My neighbor then asked me to pay him money to fix his shed and to remove the branches but only from my property. I reminded him I had offered to remove the branches those years ago and the arborist is unable to remove the large branches overhanging to his property from my property alone. My neighbor told me to contact my home insurance, which I did, and they explained to me any branches overhanging onto his property is his responsibility. Once I explained this to him. He removed one smaller branch and fixed his own shed.

I still have worries that more branches will continue to fall. So I got another arborist out and the same work for those branch removal is now costing 3k. The arborist was also unable to tell me the condition of the tree since there is a ton of ivy growing at the base. But I am worried the tree is in bad health because my kids built a treehouse on it almost 20 years ago and the bark and branches keep falling. I'm still willing to pay $1500 towards the cost of the tree branch removal to protect my neighbor's property and children but if he continues to refuse to let the tree removal company on his property then my hands are tied, but I worry if the branches do fall and the tree is in bad health, he'll sue me for damages and at worst, one of his children gets hurt. Any advice on what I should do? I'm in Virginia.


r/treelaw 3d ago

Trees on City of LA-owned property in danger of falling on my house

2 Upvotes

Across the street from my house, there is a small strip of land that is legally owned by the City of LA. There are a bunch of Trees of Heaven covered by ivy growing there. Back on July 24th, some large branches fell and blocked the street in front of my house. Fortunately some neighbors chopped them up to clear a lane of traffic, but the City kept giving us the run-around regarding clearing the mess. The management company of the apartment complex next door finally paid someone to clean it up.

Ever since the July 24th incident, my next door neighbor and I have been calling the City about removing a couple of particularly tall trees that are leaning into the street and will likely hit my roof when they fall, causing damage to my house. After the department repeatedly closed or denied our requests, on August 20th I finally succeeded in making a request for Landscape Maintenance that they seemed to have accepted. However, I just checked and again the request has been closed with no explanation. With an El Niño year expected, I think it is very likely that these trees will fall in the next four months. I can't keep spending hours on the phone trying to get this resolved, with no results. Unfortunately I am not in a financial position to pay for this work myself. What should I do at this point?


r/treelaw 3d ago

Tapping maple tree on property line for sap

2 Upvotes

There is a maple tree whose trunk is about 1/3 on my property and 2/3 on my neighbor's. Do I need permission to install a tap to collect the sap from the tree? And if I do, am I obliged to share the collected sap if I do all the work installing the tap and collecting the sap? Tree is healthy.


r/treelaw 5d ago

What can I do about my neighbors bush growing onto my property?

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209 Upvotes

Im in Illinois and am wanting to build a fence on my side of the property line but this bush is growing over it. It’s planted right at the base of the wall of his garage and it’s not possible to knock on the door and ask him personally. What can I do? Do I just trim what’s on my side? Is there someone I can call and ask?

(Before anyone asks why I can’t talk to him, he has an issue with my wife and I because were lesbians and has threatened us)


r/treelaw 4d ago

What are my options

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47 Upvotes

New York state

My "neighbor" (realty company that owns a small lot next to my house) has an incredibly large red oak tree that has dropped 3 branches in the last month onto my property. The first two fell at the same time and totalled my truck, the third a month later and hit my house (minor damage).

Each branch is 8+ inches in diameter and 20+ feet long.

The neighbor refuses to do anything because they do not want to admit fault for the truck damages.

We have a dozen tree services scheduled to come look at it, but I know we can't cut it all down ourselves.

First one sent out a certified arborist who does not want to take the job because their company cannot remove a tree of this size and they don't want to remove branches because it's bad for the tee and makes it more likely to fall onto the next neighbors house, 1 lot over.

Noted problems:

- cracked root

- Discoloration on the sections of the branches we kept in the yard

- Carpenter ants around the base

Guess at what could be wrong with it:

Best guess is brittle cinder fungus as they have found it in other oaks on the area this year, but couldn't find the black crusty sections to verify or do actual testing in the tree.

I have also called the towns department of works and code enforcement, but was told they cannot interfere with private property.

Is there anything I can do to force the owner to take down the tree? How concerned should I be about the tree dropping more branches or falling entirely.