This week, let’s look at trees planted along property lines. If a tree is planted on one property, but its branches hang over an adjacent property, which homeowner is responsible for the branches? Also – if there are vines creeping over from one property to the next and are becoming a nuisance, who’s responsible for those?

The rule of thumb here is, if it’s your place? It’s your place! It might not make your neighbor happy, but in most municipalities, if a limb from a neighbor’s tree is hanging over your property, you can trim it, prune it or cut it down, as long as the cuts happen over your property and not your neighbor’s! The same would be true of a creeping vine, or a rambling rosebush — anything on your property is yours to control.

But the down side? If that limb from your neighbor’s tree falls off and hits your house? It’s on you, not him. Check with your insurance company on that one, but in most areas falling limbs are considered ‘Force Majure’ or ‘Acts of God’, and the placements of the roots doesn’t really play a role.

These are the rules of thumb, but it might be different in your area. So if you have a specific problem, call your county or municipal government. They’ll point you in the right direction.

Have a question for Real Estate Today? Drop us a comment – we may use it in an upcoming show!

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