Tree's Neighbors and Property lines....

  I get a lot of calls about people wanting to trim tree's that are over or close to someone else's property. I usually ask them " Why do you want to trim the tree over your neighbors property"? They usually respond by telling me that the neighbor contacted them about trimming it. After looking at the tree its trunk is on one side and the limbs are hanging over the line and going into the neighbors yard. I will start by telling them that the limbs that are hanging over into the neighbors yard are their responsibility to keep trimmed up not yours. They most often say " I don't care just trim it up so they will stop complaining about it to me. And there is nothing wrong with trimming your tree if it is over the neighbors property , but don't think that you have a legal responsibility to do so. The law requires every home owner to trim what ever is over their property line to trim it up themselves . And they must do it to benefit the tree and not cut it to hurt the tree. In other words they must trim the tree properly. A person or neighbor who is mad because you won't pay to have the limbs cut over his side of the property cannot and should not be allowed to then go up and just hack off a bunch of limbs that could injure or kill the tree. I once went out to a jobsite and the tree was right on the line between neighbors . The one neighbor who called me out to the sight wanted me to cut all the roots that were coming over onto his side . Well I don't have to tell you that if i were to cut all of those roots the tree would most likely fall over in a storm. After telling him that it would most likely kill the tree or it would fall over during a storm because of the roots being cut he threw up his arms and asked me to leave after saying a few more choice words to me. In closing just remember to not try argue with your neighbor about the tree Just call me Beechnut tree service, and i will politely explain to them that i am a Certified Arborist and can usually educate them on the law and tree's. And remember you are not obligated to trim anything over your neighbors property, That is the Law. Don't let them scare or threaten you into spending thousands of dollars when it is their responsibility. If you have any questions about this topic you an call or email me directly at Treescab@gmail.com .