Can my neighbor cut our tree's branches off?

[HelenePA]

Sounds like my nutty neighbor. Technically, yes, it's on his property, but acorns waking him... really??? Sounds kinda squirrely to me...

Ummmm yes they do wake me too! it sounds like rocks pelting our roof. In fact they've just started to fall from my neighbors tree

 

[aprilgail2]

Sounds like my nutty neighbor. Technically, yes, it's on his property, but acorns waking him... really??? Sounds kinda squirrely to me...

We were camping this past weekend and acorns were dropping on the roof of our cabin- sounded like a kid throwing rocks at the house!!

 

[Disney Doll]

If it were my tree and I liked the tree and did not want it to possibly be trimmed incorrectly and killed, or trimmed in a haphazard manner so it looked stupid, then I would have the tree trimmers of MY choice (and at my cost) come out and trim the tree. Ask the neighbor to allow them onto his property but then the tree gets trimmed to YOUR specifications, not his.

Frankly, if the neighbor calls the tree people, he can tell them "Trim it straight up the property line" and then you have a once beautiful tree that now looks really stupid.

 

[kayla87]

If it were my tree and I liked the tree and did not want it to possibly be trimmed incorrectly and killed, or trimmed in a haphazard manner so it looked stupid, then I would have the tree trimmers of MY choice (and at my cost) come out and trim the tree. Ask the neighbor to allow them onto his property but then the tree gets trimmed to YOUR specifications, not his.

Frankly, if the neighbor calls the tree people, he can tell them "Trim it straight up the property line" and then you have a once beautiful tree that now looks really stupid.

 

[corndog]

Yes, he can, we are planning to do that to our neighbors trees.
He has been a real jerk and won't do it himself. I'll be darned if another one of his vines hanging off his trees will kill another lilac bush of mine.

Sorry about that. I'll go out and trim it now.

 

[EllenFrasier]

If it were my tree and I liked the tree and did not want it to possibly be trimmed incorrectly and killed, or trimmed in a haphazard manner so it looked stupid, then I would have the tree trimmers of MY choice (and at my cost) come out and trim the tree. Ask the neighbor to allow them onto his property but then the tree gets trimmed to YOUR specifications, not his.

Frankly, if the neighbor calls the tree people, he can tell them "Trim it straight up the property line" and then you have a once beautiful tree that now looks really stupid.

I do like the tree, but I cannot afford to hire someone to trim the tree and do not have the equipment necessary to cut tree branches that high up. This tree is really tall. At least the stupid looking half of the tree will be on his side! I'm kind of hoping when he finds out how much it costs to get it done, he won't do it.

 

[rainy~daze]

My suggestion would be for you to take care of it. So you know it's done right.

I would agree with this, intervene before it gets done. At least try to be sure the work gets done by a certified arborist. Not some guy with a pickup and a rented saw with no insurance.
If they trim it wrong, it can be very susceptible to disease and insects. And it has been an awful year for tree problems, at least here with the major heat, there is an influx of fungal diseases.
If they are going to cut the branches back to the property line, either cut to a proper point or take it all the way to the collar, don't let them just cut even on the line. The tree won't heal right and it will send out major epicormic (sucker) growth on his side next year, which will be very weak and excessive.
And don't let them cut the tree, throw the mess in your yard and leave. Some companies around here have pulled that. Try to talk to who is doing the work and make sure they are competent....and fully insured!!

 

[EllenFrasier]

That's another worry. I'm not sure how they will go about cutting the tree without being in the tree - I'm not letting them climb the tree because of liability. Can they cut if using a bucket truck if it will reach? The tree very rarely has any branches blow out of it -usually just small ones. His only complaint to me was the acorns waking him up. I happen to like the sound of the acorns hitting the roof - let's me know the squirrels are up there. I have no idea why he is sleeping anyway - he has a five year old and a one year old!

 

[kirstenb1]

If it were my tree and I liked the tree and did not want it to possibly be trimmed incorrectly and killed, or trimmed in a haphazard manner so it looked stupid, then I would have the tree trimmers of MY choice (and at my cost) come out and trim the tree. Ask the neighbor to allow them onto his property but then the tree gets trimmed to YOUR specifications, not his.

Frankly, if the neighbor calls the tree people, he can tell them "Trim it straight up the property line" and then you have a once beautiful tree that now looks really stupid.

 

[DVCLiz]

I don't know about your area but here we can cut back anything that hangs over our property line. My neighbors big full round maple tree looks like half a flat tree since we had it cut straight up the property line. The town tells me I can take them to small claims court and they would have to pay the tree trimming bill but I like my neighbors so no way would I take them to court!
I had all the trees on my property cut down so I certainly did not want someone elses hanging over my yard dropping leaves all over the place!

I understand why you did it, but I think that's just sad. Cut up a tree like that.

Cutting back a branch so it doesn't cause damage is one thing. Desecrating a beautiful maple because it drops leaves is another. It's so easy these days to remove leaves with a leaf blower. I'd have been sick if you'd done this to my maple tree.

 

[okeydokey]

It sounds as if you don't want to help him at all. If your tree comes down on his house, aren't you responsible? Maybe you can come together and split the cost.

If you don't want to help pay, then please do not complain about the how the neighbor cuts it.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I don't know about your area but here we can cut back anything that hangs over our property line. My neighbors big full round maple tree looks like half a flat tree since we had it cut straight up the property line. The town tells me I can take them to small claims court and they would have to pay the tree trimming bill but I like my neighbors so no way would I take them to court!
I had all the trees on my property cut down so I certainly did not want someone elses hanging over my yard dropping leaves all over the place!

Well, if i were your neighbors I would no longer like you for cutting up my tree like that. I'm all for cutting to the property line but for Pete's sake make the tree look attractive. Tree's are meant to look a certain way. And I wouldn't want maple looking like half a tree.

My neighbors have a big tree in their front yard. We have a small crepe myrtle but last fall the parents had the boys rake our yard because all the leaves in it were from their tree. Honestly, we didn't care. But I think that's way better than shearing a tree in half that's meant to be round.

 

[Meriweather]

Yep...my gardener is going to cut a bunch of trees to our property line.
They hang over our fence and are disturbing the growth of our new trees and dropping leaves and pods all over.

 

[SaraJayne]

Well, if i were your neighbors I would no longer like you for cutting up my tree like that. I'm all for cutting to the property line but for Pete's sake make the tree look attractive. Tree's are meant to look a certain way. And I wouldn't want maple looking like half a tree.

My neighbors have a big tree in their front yard. We have a small crepe myrtle but last fall the parents had the boys rake our yard because all the leaves in it were from their tree. Honestly, we didn't care. But I think that's way better than shearing a tree in half that's meant to be round.

Hopefully, that half of a tree won't fall over onto her house.

 

[DebbieB]

It sounds as if you don't want to help him at all. If your tree comes down on his house, aren't you responsible? Maybe you can come together and split the cost.

If you don't want to help pay, then please do not complain about the how the neighbor cuts it.

I agree. It's not fair to your neighbor that the your tree is hanging over into their yard and they get stuck cleaning up the leaves. I would get someone to trim it to your satisfaction. I don't see why your neighbor should get stuck paying to trim your tree that is over your property line.

 

[daughtersrus]

Just ask him, and ask to be present when the tree cutters are there. Then you can tell them what you agree to. It will be fine!

I don't think that it matters if the OP agrees to it or not as long as the neighbor is only having the part over his property trimmed.

 

[rainy~daze]

That's another worry. I'm not sure how they will go about cutting the tree without being in the tree - I'm not letting them climb the tree because of liability. Can they cut if using a bucket truck if it will reach? The tree very rarely has any branches blow out of it -usually just small ones. His only complaint to me was the acorns waking him up. I happen to like the sound of the acorns hitting the roof - let's me know the squirrels are up there. I have no idea why he is sleeping anyway - he has a five year old and a one year old!

if a bucket truck can get to that area, it will reach. but if you haven't seen some of the good climbers, it is a real treat to watch.
You just want to be sure they are fully insured, then you're good. You don't want a bucket truck ripping up your yard, either.

It's sad to see all the people on here who just chop them back to the property line. You are doing way more harm than good in the long run. It is topping when cut to mid limb with no proper point....it will kill the trees over time.

 

[crashbb]

Thank you! Your words have calmed me down somewhat. I've also read that I should take pictures of the tree before it's done, while it's being done and afterwords in case the tree dies. Is that a good idea?

What do you plan on doing with the pictures? As many people have stated, he is within his rights to trim the tree to the property line. There is no law (that I could find) that says that if he kills the tree in doing this, that he is held responsible (sad though that fact is). Or do you just mean to have evidence if he cuts further than the property line? Just confused by the "in case the tree dies" part.

 

[Pig Pen]

Can he actually trim the branches back to the property line? I don't want the tree to die and I don't want it to look like lightning sheared it in half.

I am sure it depends on your local/state laws. He could not do it in Vermont.
http://crs.uvm.edu/citizens/trees.pdf

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The tree is hanging over his roof? I would say cutting it is long overdue.
OP, you should have been more proactive with keeping your tree in check.

My parents have a house in the woods and we do have to have someone come out and cut on the trees to ensure safety of house and people. And believe me it is an imperative. We have had limbs crash onto cars in the driveway a couple of times. You need a professional arborist.

My suggestion to you is to pay someone to take care of it since it is your tree you want to save. If you don't want to do that it is going to end up looking awful.

If you only allow someone to cut it in a bucket that is going to harm the tree & make it look ugly. It needs to be cut properly not only for looks but for disease and growth issues. It will become lopsided with weight and that will cause weight stress on your side.