If your neighbors have large trees, can you trim a tree hanging over your property that isn’t yours? When you have these kinds of questions, our professionals delivering tree services in New Canaan, CT, can help.
Learn more about neighbor rights regarding tree ownership and branch removal.
Cutting Branches From a Neighbor’s Tree
If tree branches are hanging over a fence or a property line, it can create confusion over who should care for the tree. Property line laws treat the property line as if it extends vertically from the ground upward into the sky. If a neighbor’s tree is hanging over this imaginary line onto your property, you have the right to trim the branches.
The tree belongs to the neighbor if the trunk is on the neighbor’s property. You can’t force a neighbor to remove the entire tree, even if most of it is hanging over the property line.
Maintaining Peace When Trimming Overhanging Branches
Connecticut laws about trees give legal permission to property owners to trim overhanging branches. However, you probably won’t want to call our professional arborists as your first step. Instead, you should try a few other things to maintain peace with your neighbor.
Ask the Neighbor to Trim the Tree
If you believe the overhanging branches are causing a safety threat to your property or family, ask your neighbor to trim them. Some of the things that could threaten your property include:
- Dead branches
- Cracked branches
- Pest infestation on the branches
- Loss of bark on the branches
Your neighbor might agree to trim the branches, especially if your neighbor is hoping to avoid damage liability from a falling branch onto your home.
Trimming It Yourself
If your neighbor refuses to trim the tree, you can inform the neighbor that you’ll be hiring an arborist to trim the branches that are across the property line. It’s helpful to notify the neighbor verbally about your plan to trim the tree. You could ask the neighbor to pay part or all of the bill, but the neighbor has no legal obligation to do so.
Ultimately, you might have to fully pay for our arborists to trim the tree that is overhanging the property line. Understand that it is not legal for us to go onto your neighbor’s property to trim the tree without permission. We also cannot trim such a large portion of the tree that we might endanger its health.
Contact Frank’s Arborcare for Help with Tree Trimming
Can you trim a tree hanging over your property, or can your neighbors force you to trim your trees that are hanging onto their properties? If tree trimming laws across property lines are confusing for you, our team at Frank’s Arborcare can help you find the answer.
If you are planning to plant a new tree, we can help you with tree planting mistakes to avoid, such as putting it too close to the property line. For help with all your tree care needs or to ask questions about trees and property lines, call us today at (203) 423-9523.
