Neighbor Tree Disputes

Owning a home is like a rite of passage. If you have lived in an apartment or other type of sharing housing complex, moving into your own home is an appreciable advancement. Home ownership brings many freedoms and responsibilities. You can design your own landscaping, repaint and completely remodel the interior of your home as you wish. Your home is not just a declaration of your personal style in decorating but becomes a representative of you to your neighbors.

Trees In Common Areas

Although owning a home brings freedoms that are unable with living in an apartment, home ownership also represents limitations when it comes to your property lines. Every single family home has boundaries. The boundary lines or property limitations for your home can be found on the specification sheet that lists all of the other details for your home such as room sizes and total square footage of your home. Familiarizing yourself with these specifications and knowing the limits of your property can save you hassles should you run into any problems with your neighbors about where your property ends and their property begins. Most times, a tree will be directly on your property. Sometimes, as trees continue to grow, they may extend beyond your property boundaries and into your neighbor's property both above and below ground with limbs and roots.

Handling Tree Disputes

When there is a tree dispute it can be about a variety of things. Before you grab your chain saw and start cutting, make sure you understand what the dispute is and how it impacts you and the property line trees. When you have a tree dispute situation where an agreement cannot be reached, it will be necessary to take the matter to court and let a judge make an official ruling. Sometimes communication can be the key to a resolution however.

  • Make sure the tree is in good condition and does not pose a threat to your property or another's.
  • If it is just a matter of extending branches, volunteer to have the tree cut back to your property limits and keep them from extending again by routine pruning of the branches in that section of the tree.

Tree Dispute Warnings & Suggestions

As with any matter that is of a civil nature, you cannot simply take matters into your own hands. Remember these warnings:

  • You cannot simply remove your neighbor's tree, even though it is on your property.
  • Both you and the tree owner have rights.
  • You may be prosecuted by the tree owner you destroy any part of their property without permission.
  • Have a face-to-face discussion and present the reasons why you want the tree removed.
  • Take the time to listen to why your neighbor may want the tree to stay.
  • Try to resolve matters peacefully and amicably.

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