Who Is Responsible When a Neighbor’s Tree Falls in Your Yard?

Who is responsible when you share a tree with your neighbor?

In this video, I'm going to talk about neighbors and trees. More specifically, who is responsible if your tree has fallen over onto the neighboring property.

Are you liable when a neighbor's tree falls in your yard?
If your neighbor's tree hangs over your yard, and fruit and leaves fall on your side, do you have the responsibility to clean up this tree? The answer is that it depends on in what city you are located.

Different states have different laws, but in Orlando, Florida, the responsibility falls on the homeowner whose side of the property the tree falls over. The example in this video gives a good understanding of neighbors and trees.

If you've ever had to deal with a tree that's fallen over on your property, you know it's a huge hassle. You have to pay someone to remove the tree, and then you have to pay for any damages it caused to your house or surrounding plants. But with McCullough Tree Service, we can take care of all of that for you—and at a great price!

With McCullough Tree Service, whether a tree is blocking your view or hanging over your home, our certified arborist can remove your unwanted tree no matter its placement on your property. You can trust that we will do the job right and ensure that it's safe for you and your family.

How Much Do Tree Services Cost?

McCullough Tree Service
948 Ferne Dr. Longwood, Florida 32779

[joyceibanez]

A few months ago our neighbor had a tree that hung over onto our property. During an ice storm it broke and fell onto our property. The young Man was so concerned and came over all embarrassed and apologetic. We told him not to worry because it was our responsibility to take care of it.(he wasn't aware of that). The next morning when our sons went out to clean it up he came running to help. When they finished with our side of the fence the three went over to his side and cleaned up the broken trees in his yard as well. Didn't cost anyone anything but some elbow grease and good old fashioned neighbors helping neighbors. We are very blessed to have this young Man and his family next door. We feel good knowing if we ever need their help they will respond as we will for them. Come on people you don't have to be on each other's door step every five minutes to be good neighbors. Life is just too damn short to sweat the small s__t. We are not overly religious, but we truly believe in "LOVE THEY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. Doesn't cost a thing.😊

[CaptainRon]

Same laws in Michigan. Also, that law can start some big fights. My neighbor's tree was hanging over my house, more importantly, hanging over the top of my chimney within a foot or so from touching it. My big concern was catching that pine tree on fire from my fireplace.. I asked them really nicely if they minded if I cut back their pine tree and get it away from my roof.. I mean, I would pay to cut it back... nope, they got all nasty and bitchy about it. So, I called the Fire Department, and the FD cited them for a dangerous tree, and they ended up paying to have the whole thing cut down. All I wanted was to trim some limbs back, and I was willing to pay for Turns out, I had the right to trim back the tree over-hanging my property in the first place, and didn't need their permission... So much for trying to be neighborly

[grahamsowerby]

In England, we have the same understanding. However I have always spoken to my neighbour when I was going to prune any tree on my side just to make sure that there were no issues. Never had a problem.

[shirleysear]

A neighbor's tree was damaged by lightning and became weaked and finally fell and took out a section of my wood fence and fell into my yard. He knew he should have removed the tree before so he was nice about it and paid to have the tree and debris removed from my yard and also replaced the damaged fence. We've been friends for a dozen years now😊

[geraldsmith]

Had that problem, had tree grinder come in and cut back 15 feet and cut palms leaning over my house.

[thongone]

I'm sorry did I miss the part of the explanation of what to do when my neighbor's actually falls on my property.

[KING-FU]

Different scenario. I have two large vacant City lots in Central Florida, divided by one old house / neighbor. The middle homeowner trimmed two large Oaks that partially hung over my property (by 30-40%) and instead of handling / disposing of the debris properly, they left what they claimed was only the overhanging waste on my property and without authorization. They also drove all over my property and staged their equipment on me without authorization. When I saw the tree waste (classified here as illegal dumping) I called the Police, who got Code Enforcement involved and they made them remove every twig from my property. The guy argued, but it was hanging over his property! 😂🤣… yet in that neighbors eyes, I’m the A-hole for making them clean it up. I only shared this BC Tree Laws and Enforcement can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances.

[Encourageable]

Yep - think of it like an invisible cube that extends upward at the property line. I always cut my neighbors stuff back off my property. He doesn’t like it - came out and yelled at me twice. I got right back in his face because I knew if I didn’t he’d keep doing it. After two times he never bothered me again. I’m not doing it to be spiteful but I keep my property looking as good as I can and he doesn’t.

[TallDiana]

How does one gain access to maintain or trim the tree, then? There are five 150’ Douglas Fir trees on the neighboring property that are looking very unhealthy. The neighbor is uncooperative and won’t let my arborist take a close look at the trees, though he can see enough to warrant concern. There are few branches left, except in highest parts, excessive come drop, and fungal growths he says are often seen in trees that are prone to fall or break. The trunks of these trees are four or five feet across and when one goes, others or all will likely go since they’re all in a small area. I can send a certified letter to the property owner so their insurance will cover damages, but I need the arborist to state that the trees are dangerous, which means he needs to examine the trees more closely. While I don’t want my house to be cut in half by falling trees, I’m much more concerned about the risk to the lives and health of my loved ones! (The trees don’t overhang my property line at all.)

[davecooper]

Where I live I can take down overhangs. But anyway wood, fruit etc belongs to the owner of the tree.

[acousticshadow]

Sounds like a "Judge Judy" case. Neighbor "A" has the portion of tree hanging on their side of property cut down, and neighbor "B" sues them. In fact, I think I've already seen it.

[wandasetzer]

Also, in my state, where that law is relevant, I don't have a right to go next door and cut pieces off my own tree that overhangs the neighbor's property.

[skotnica]

In Poland the owner of the tree is completely responsible. Removing any part of the tree, provided it does not fall on the ground and touches your property grounds, is considered theft.

[erinnorwood]

So can i cut down the whole top of the tree if it starts growing on my side, even if it leaves the neighbor with a stump with no leaves?

[christopherort]

Depends on the state that you live in.

[esequiela.martinez]

Hello from Fresno California, WE are Christians, we do believe that we do for our neighbors, our neighbor lost his wife a few years ago, my wife does believe that we care for them, she feeds him, does his appointments, keeps family's phone number on hand, brings in his mail. My says maybe nobody will care for us but I know I did what our LORD GOD told us to do.

[clay]

Yes, no, and maybe. The Court will be the ultimate decision in any tree battle or damage claim. No two are the same.

[Peter-foec]

Here in Connecticut my next door neighbor's tree was leaning over my property from the previous storm... the tree didn't come down, yet. but it was evident to fall over eventually... and in a storm it would surely come down on my property ...my insurance company told me to send them a certified letter ....if it did come down and damage my property, they would be responsible because I notified them of the Sure enough a month later the tree blew down damaged my deck damage my property and they were one-hundred-percent responsible through homeowners insurance ...less the deductible on their dime and all repairs on their dime, To my property and my belongings... Neighbor was not happy... but the law is the law.... Supposedly 🤔🤔🤔🤔 don't know if this is universal or verys Who's a lawyer out there and who knows the answer to

[lothean]

So basically, you can cut that part of the tree off. Now doing so, the tree becomes unbalanced and mother nature causes it to fall on your neighbors house. Are you liable because you cut the tree branches on your side.

[TheDeanHaemel]

My neighbor has a large maple that sheds branches on my property. I throw them back to their side on the lawn under the tree... If they want to complain about it they can. Then the branches will go through their windows on a windy night... Thats how it works where I live. Be responsible for your property or else pay the toll.