What's the "Good Neighbor" Policy for a Fallen Tree?

[denisenh]

OP, i am glad your situation worked out well. nice neighbors are terrific to have!

 

[runsandjumps]

This happened to one of my relatives. Neighbors refuse to cut down dead trees that line their property. Leaving said trees to knock down her fence. Nice huh?!

 

[runsandjumps]

I did a little research and found that if the trees are not properly cared for they ARE the tree-owners problem if they fall or cause any damage.

I sent them a certified letter putting them on notice that if they didn't care for the trees going forward, any damage was now their problem. Don't know if it will hold up in court but it felt good to do something.

I am going to tell my relative this info.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I hope you meant this as a joke...

Yeah, that's what this means. Obviously you're offended, my apologies.

 

[DVCLiz]

Yeah, that's what this means. Obviously you're offended, my apologies.

lol no, not offended - I knew you were joking. Just wanted to clarify for anyone else reading the thread.

 

[North of Mouse]

Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, we did a lot of research on trees and neighbors. Unfortunately, if a neighbor's tree falls on your property, it's now your problem, responsibility, and insurance that legally owns the situation. That said, it would be nice if a neighbor (the original owner of the tree) volunteers to share cost and/or labor of tree removal.

I'd go over and talk about the tree damage. You may have to ask up front if they can help with removal or damage, and hopefully they will volunteer to do so. It sounds like they are good neighbors, and I hope they'll volunteer to help you. Good luck!

We were told that if the tree was a dead one, or obviously diseased and would be dying and weak, and obviously going to *fall* at some point that whoever has the tree on their property was liable. If the tree fell that was a living tree that wasn't an obvious risk then the property owner was not liable.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

About 20 years ago, I remember seeing 3 trees being cut out of someone's nearly demolished home. Two were from the front yard, but where the third was from was anybody's guess.

When you live in the woods in a zone that gets hurricanes and tornados and downdrafts and every other sort of weather beast, you get over playing blame. The trees are the trees and when Mother Nature plays with them, it is what it is and the trees go where they are blown.

I know, very zen of me, but it's the only way to stay sane down here when it comes to trees falling during storms, I think.

 

[JoiseyMom]

We were told that if the tree was a dead one, or obviously diseased and would be dying and weak, and obviously going to *fall* at some point that whoever has the tree on their property was liable. If the tree fell that was a living tree that wasn't an obvious risk then the property owner was not liable.

Same here. My next door neighbors were really worried during Sandy. The house behind them has this huge tree which is dead. He spoke to him and said that he has to remove it. My next door neighbor has 2 small kids and was really afraid to let his kids in the yard because of that tree. I also wasn't happy cause part of it could fall in my yard and take out my fence and my shed and hurt my dogs who spend lots of time outside.

They started taking it down yesterday! So thankful, especially for all the wind we had last night and today. They still have more work to do, but nothing was left that could fall. That sucker was really getting hollow!

But if he hadn't, he would have been responsible when that sucker fell!