Ever since you moved into your new house, your neighbor’s trees have been a problem. They are close to your property line, and they give you a lot of anxiety. During a storm, you worry the branches could fall onto your vehicle, your home, or into your backyard. You may also have other complaints, such as the overhanging branches creating excessive shade in areas of your yard that you would prefer to keep sunny.
But do you have any right to remove those branches or deal with those trees? How do you address something like this, since the trees are not on your property?
Legally trimming the trees
It is not illegal for you to trim the trees, even though they grow on your neighbor’s property. However, there are two important things to keep in mind.
First, you must stay on your side of the property line while doing so. If you bring ladders or tools onto your neighbor’s side, they could claim that you are violating their property rights.
Second, you are only allowed to trim the trees back as far as the property line. If you trim them excessively or cut them down entirely, you are encroaching on your neighbor’s property and crossing a legal boundary. You only have the right to eliminate the offending branches that overhang your own property. Beyond that, you must take care not to damage the tree and must respect your neighbor’s rights.
Even if you do everything correctly, though, this could still lead to a dispute. Be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take if the situation escalates.