New neighbor cut our tree branches

[Anonymous]

New neighbor decided to trim the trees along our property line. First, the crew only cut the lower branches hanging over on his side, which is certainly his right. I came back about 15 minutes later and they had moved over to OUR side, cutting all the branches that over hang OUR yard. Those lower branches had provided a nice screen between our house and theirs. Now we are wide open, with no privacy screen whatsoever.

We confronted the neighbor and told him we were not happy - that he/the crew should have consulted us first. He tried to act like it was no big deal and said "trees grow back." We've had these trees for many years. They don't grow overnight. He tried to dismiss our concerns when we told him we want a privacy screen there. He said, "We'll work something out."

Do we have any recourse here? Obviously, they can't put the branches back, but are we within our rights to require them to pay for a privacy screen of shrubbery in that area? TIA.

[Anonymous]

You can probably file for tree assault

[Anonymous]

I don’t know the legality, but I’m pissed on your behalf.

[Anonymous]

Here’s an idea. Trim your trees so they don’t have to. Be a responsible neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, I think your options involved small claims court. If you want to be really passive aggressive, pay to have some fencing put up and hand them the bill. They won't pay it, though.

[Anonymous]

ok, to clarify - they cut the branches on your property but of their own trees, right? They didn't touch your trees, right? Sorry, you are out of luck. Be glad they didn't yank all of their own trees, making it look even more barren. You have no recourse

[Anonymous]

Nothing you can do. Probably the most you’d get from small claims court is the cost to plant a new sapling. I’m coming from the experience of having a neighbor completely cut down a 50 year old tree that was entirely on my property. The neighbor was a developer and knew there would be no repercussions.

[Anonymous]

Curious, do the neighbors benefit from having those lower branches gone? Do they now get more light or air circulation? I can't understand why they'd have the tree guys clear the branches all the way around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious, do the neighbors benefit from having those lower branches gone? Do they now get more light or air circulation? I can't understand why they'd have the tree guys clear the branches all the way around.

Some people are weirdos about trees.

I'd be pissed they trespassed on my property. For example, who knows if the tree cutters were self insured? If not, they could try to sue if they got hurt on your property. It's not ok to enter someone else's property without permission. To clarify, were they actually in your yard cutting, or cutting them from his side of the property?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ok, to clarify - they cut the branches on your property but of their own trees, right? They didn't touch your trees, right? Sorry, you are out of luck. Be glad they didn't yank all of their own trees, making it look even more barren. You have no recourse

No. The trees are ours. They are just inside the property line on our side. The neighbor was entitled to cut the branches that reached into his yard, but he was not entitled to cut all of the branches on our side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing you can do. Probably the most you’d get from small claims court is the cost to plant a new sapling. I’m coming from the experience of having a neighbor completely cut down a 50 year old tree that was entirely on my property. The neighbor was a developer and knew there would be no repercussions.

OP here - how on earth could that be legal? What did you do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious, do the neighbors benefit from having those lower branches gone? Do they now get more light or air circulation? I can't understand why they'd have the tree guys clear the branches all the way around.

My thought is that they realized how lopsided the trees looked after cutting the branches on their side, so decided to make it all symmetrical by taking the liberty of cutting on our side too. These were full pine trees, and the lower branches provided the privacy screen. Now we have what look like a child's drawing - tall tree trunks with branches sticking out starting about ten feet up.

[Anonymous]

Time for a fence

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious, do the neighbors benefit from having those lower branches gone? Do they now get more light or air circulation? I can't understand why they'd have the tree guys clear the branches all the way around.

Some people are weirdos about trees.

I'd be pissed they trespassed on my property. For example, who knows if the tree cutters were self insured? If not, they could try to sue if they got hurt on your property. It's not ok to enter someone else's property without permission. To clarify, were they actually in your yard cutting, or cutting them from his side of the property?

When they came around to cut the branches on our side, they were in our yard. We spoke with the crew and they were very apologetic - the foreman said he's been doing this for 25 years and knew that the owner's directions were wrong/illegal. We told him it wasn't his fault, just wish he had refused to do it.

[Anonymous]

I would not do or say anything further until you’ve significantly calmed down and the anger has subsided. It is best to act with a cool head in these situations.