Neighbor's disintegrating tree

[Anonymous]

Neighbors refuse to remove a arge oak tree rotting (obvious cracks at bottom and going up, hollow). Has been deteriorating for years. Now it's bad. They do not maintain their landscale.
My home is downhill. Anyone been successful in dealing with neighbor's who don't care? Seems like by not cutting it down it becomes MY viability and cost when it falls.

[Anonymous]

offer to pay to have it removed

[Anonymous]

Contact your insurance company. A neighbor who was in your situation notified her insurance company of the deteriorating tree and they sent an inspector out who determined the tree owner wasn’t properly maintaining it. They sent notice to the tree owner that they would pursue a claim against them if the tree fell on the insured’s property. If a tree that’s been well maintained falls on your property, it’s an act of god and your insurance company will cover it. If it can be shown the tree owner knew the tree was damaged, they will be held responsible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Contact your insurance company. A neighbor who was in your situation notified her insurance company of the deteriorating tree and they sent an inspector out who determined the tree owner wasn’t properly maintaining it. They sent notice to the tree owner that they would pursue a claim against them if the tree fell on the insured’s property. If a tree that’s been well maintained falls on your property, it’s an act of god and your insurance company will cover it. If it can be shown the tree owner knew the tree was damaged, they will be held responsible.

Not OP, but that's a great idea. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for this advice. I was going to do this, sharing my photos and correspondence if the tree fell on my lot/home. I'll try proactive contact w my insurance now. I want to avoid the danger and damage of the tree actually falling.

[Anonymous]

We have similar issue. Two trees. One fell onto our yard after two years of warning. Lucky no one was killed. Insurance company will go after her if it happens again, it is so frustrating and dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:offer to pay to have it removed

Better yet - keep your money in your pocket and instead promise to sue if it falls and causes damage.

[Anonymous]

Ugh. You sound like my neighbor. Who cut down their healthy trees, which weakend everyone else's trees. And that's ok because my arborist gave my trees extra nutrients and lightened the crown. But then they called the county and tried to get my trees cut down. And I had to spend $2000 to get a certified letter from my arborist saying my trees are healthy and do not need to be cut down. Don't be my neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Offer to pay for a tree doctor to examine your neighbor's tree to determine if it is indeed rotting. If it is, then they are on notice that they have a hazardous tree and need to take it down or offer to pay a professional to cut it down for them.

[Anonymous]

How do you know their tree is hollow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. You sound like my neighbor. Who cut down their healthy trees, which weakend everyone else's trees. And that's ok because my arborist gave my trees extra nutrients and lightened the crown. But then they called the county and tried to get my trees cut down. And I had to spend $2000 to get a certified letter from my arborist saying my trees are healthy and do not need to be cut down. Don't be my neighbor.

The tree in question is not healthy.

[Anonymous]

FYI a hollow in a tree is not always a sign of failure (the thickness of the living outside part matters). Many trees do fine for decades with hollows as long as there is enough girth to support the canopy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neighbors refuse to remove a arge oak tree rotting (obvious cracks at bottom and going up, hollow). Has been deteriorating for years. Now it's bad. They do not maintain their landscale.
My home is downhill. Anyone been successful in dealing with neighbor's who don't care? Seems like by not cutting it down it becomes MY viability and cost when it falls.

Did you converse with them, or are you just assuming they refuse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. You sound like my neighbor. Who cut down their healthy trees, which weakend everyone else's trees. And that's ok because my arborist gave my trees extra nutrients and lightened the crown. But then they called the county and tried to get my trees cut down. And I had to spend $2000 to get a certified letter from my arborist saying my trees are healthy and do not need to be cut down. Don't be my neighbor.

Sounds like you take care of your trees, but surely you realize plenty of people don’t? I don’t understand why people purchase houses with trees in their yards who don’t intend to maintain them. Two of my three neighbors do this. One has vines literally choking their trees. The other let a volunteer maple tree grow at the base of an a previously healthy and now it’s a hot mess and looks like it’s about to fall over (luckily not in our direction).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. You sound like my neighbor. Who cut down their healthy trees, which weakend everyone else's trees. And that's ok because my arborist gave my trees extra nutrients and lightened the crown. But then they called the county and tried to get my trees cut down. And I had to spend $2000 to get a certified letter from my arborist saying my trees are healthy and do not need to be cut down. Don't be my neighbor.

The tree in question is not healthy.

Are you a certified Arborist or have a degree in Forestry?