If your neighbor’s tree falls on your property, who is responsible? The answer may surprise you

An insurance expert addressed a common concern about tree damage following Tropical Storm Debby, which has stirred up a lot of interest from our readers.

[randybarnes]

Finally a news report that has useful information, thanks.

[craigritchie]

If there is no damage then be a good neighbor, step up and clean it up. When a pine on my property fell into my neighbor’s back yard I grabbed my chain saw and tractor and cleaned it up.

[andariegos]

Years ago a huge tree branch from our tree in our backyard fell onto the neighbor’s fence and into his backyard. After the storm was over my husband knocked on his door (we had never met him before) with chainsaw in hand and asked permission to go in his yard to cut it up. My husband also stacked the pieces in front of his house to be picked up. He allowed it and they both agreed that, luckily, there was no damage to his fence. After that, we hadn’t really seen him because the fence between our yards was pretty high. About two years later we had a heavy snow storm. We hear a loud noise in front and look out our door. He had come around to the front of our house and was snow blowing our entire sidewalk and our driveway.

[delphine]

Well, in Florida, MY insurance company ( Allstate) said it was my neighbors responsibility. The tree is in my yard and has over stretching branches ( live oak).We had a wind storm, and a HUGE limb fell between the properties .The damage was on my side, crushing some of my chain linked fence and laying between the properties. The insurance company would remove the part on my side but NOT on my neighbors. Thank God her son is strong( and removed the tree and cut it up) AND repaired my fence cheaply than any company. It's good to be in good standing with your neighbors as much as possible.I thank God because my deductible is 1, 000 dollars.

[geneticdisorder]

December 2023 I had a 104’ eastern white pine uproot and skim the side of my neighbors shed, I went out and cleaned up the entire tree. Took 4 days to get it all cleaned.
This past march’s ice storm, one of his trees snapped and landed on my lawn, I ended up cleaning 90% of his tree . Thx naybaa.

[davidj.leavitt]

Here’s a strange and funny situation. I notified my neighbor that I intended to cut all of the branches from his tree that were growing over our fence line and rubbing on the roof of my house. We took a tour of my property and marked the cut locations of the overhanging branches together. I cut the branches, chopped them up, and disposed of them. My neighbor got very angry and threatened to file suit because I had cut too much. I hadn’t. The funny problem was “the spring back” effect. When you cut a branch off it releases the weight of that branch and it springs back. Thus, the branches that I cut ended up about 5 feet on his side of the fence. Our paint marks were still visible on the branches that I had cut, but he was pissed. 😅. Live and learn, huh?

[goodoljackburton]

Don’t bother with insurance. They don’t cover anything but expect the bill be paid on time.

[edwardkornuszko]

Another example of how the insurance industry is a scam and penalizes consumers. Anyone in Florida knows that such a claim could lead the insurance company to drop your coverage, because they are continually looking further any reason to do so, even though the tree wasn’t on your property and logically should be the responsibility of the neighbor.

[Davidheidi]

Every state has different laws So you can't just generally state who's responsible when a tree falls. In Connecticut, There is no distinction between live tree VS dead tree . The owner of the land the tree fell onto is responsible for whatever happened on his land up to the property line. The landowner who owns the land where the tree fell from is responsible for everything up to his side of the line. The only exception would be if the landowner where the tree fell from caused harm to the tree causing it to fall. Then he might be responsible for all damages. Also interesting to note, Anything that grows beyond your property lino matter how high up in the air it is as a right to trim it back to the property line. Again, that's Connecticut law it may be different in your state.

[perrysanders]

Everybody is Responsible Except the Insurance Companies.

[arthurzengeler]

I was glad to hear at the end. If the tree is right in the middle, both people are responsible. However, I recently put up a fence, between properties. I found the property line, and saw that there is no exact spot in the middle. I put the fence going up to the middle, then continuing on the other side. Then both parties can see, which side of the fence, was more on one side, than the other.

[jeanheard]

A tree in my neighborhood is having branches to fall this dead tree I sent a certified letter who own the house now a new person have purchased it I got pictures of the tree the new owner never knew nothing about the letter or the tree

[RickWalkerSaunders]

How would i know if my neighbor’s tree is dead? Is it my responsibility to investigate to something that’s not mine?

[tricia]

50 years ago neighbors would all help and have a fun day of food and story telling. 😢

[sharontabor]

My mother's neighbor had a huge tree fall across the property line. They refused to clean it up. As an elderly woman, they left her to pay for the tree removal. Bad neighbors. I'm worried that my neighbor's dead tree will fall on my car. Laws should state the location of the tree roots determine the responsible agent.

[jamesm]

My home owners insurance has always paid for trees that were not on my property but hit my property and caused damage. Now if a fallen tree does not cause any damage and lays across your property then insurance won't pay for the removal. You're responsible for the portion of the tree that has fallen on your property and the other part of the tree is not on your property is your neighbor's responsibility. Rules also very per city ordinance.

[ronwade]

Blame Gravity, home owner's insurance is supposed to cover it. Sue them!

[michaelodonoghue]

In Australia, care and maintenance of your Tree is your Responsibility and any damage it causes is also your Responsibility.

[ImaTruther]

IF THE TREE WAS DEAD ITS THE PROPERTY THE TREE IS ON RESPONSIBILITY, IF IT WAS ALIVE, ITS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. THATS THE LAW IN FLA.

[magnificentone]

Homeowners insurance is supposed to cover the damage on ur property whether from ur neighbors or not. But what if a tree is lifted up from another neighborhood and crashes on ur property, does the homeowner from 3 blocks away or more responsible whether the tree is dead or not? Absurd rules by insurance companies that pisses people off and must be change or eliminated