Can I trim a neighbor's tree overhanging an alley?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a tree or a large shrub? It sounds like you’re talking about very low branches if they’re interfering with people walking by.

It is something like this https://detrichpix.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83452606269e20111688d9f66970c-popup
Thin branches and spreading very wide. The branches are not interfering with walking through the alley. They are hanging over a fence. The reason I want to cut it all the way to his fence is that right now the tree blocks all the natural light to my living room. Cutting it just to our property line might not entirely solve this issue, but will at least help with keeping our gutters clear. I will go for some level of trimming either way, but I wanted to understand how far I can cut without creating grounds for a legal dispute. I cant find any clear answer on what are the rules for branches over a public space. Can the neighbor seek compensation if I cut the branches overhanging the alley but stop at his property line? That is what I am trying to understand.

You can cut to your own property line because you have the right to control what crosses into your own property. That is as long as the pruning you do to your property line will not kill the tree. I’m pretty sure that you can’t cut what crosses over public property. A public utility company could, though, if the branches were interfering with overhead wires.

The picture shows a really huge tree: do you have the equipment to prune something that large? Maybe consider hiring a tree service to take care of it. Then you could also ask them about how much you can legally prune. They probably deal with these situations all the time, so they might know the best way to handle it. And they’d also know how much can be trimmed without harming the tree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a tree or a large shrub? It sounds like you’re talking about very low branches if they’re interfering with people walking by.

It is something like this https://detrichpix.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83452606269e20111688d9f66970c-popup
Thin branches and spreading very wide. The branches are not interfering with walking through the alley. They are hanging over a fence. The reason I want to cut it all the way to his fence is that right now the tree blocks all the natural light to my living room. Cutting it just to our property line might not entirely solve this issue, but will at least help with keeping our gutters clear. I will go for some level of trimming either way, but I wanted to understand how far I can cut without creating grounds for a legal dispute. I cant find any clear answer on what are the rules for branches over a public space. Can the neighbor seek compensation if I cut the branches overhanging the alley but stop at his property line? That is what I am trying to understand.

You can cut to your own property line because you have the right to control what crosses into your own property. That is as long as the pruning you do to your property line will not kill the tree. I’m pretty sure that you can’t cut what crosses over public property. A public utility company could, though, if the branches were interfering with overhead wires.

The picture shows a really huge tree: do you have the equipment to prune something that large? Maybe consider hiring a tree service to take care of it. Then you could also ask them about how much you can legally prune. They probably deal with these situations all the time, so they might know the best way to handle it. And they’d also know how much can be trimmed without harming the tree.

I am definitely hiring somebody to do it. I got one quote yesterday, but the guy who came out had no idea what the rules were, which I found somewhat weird. The branches are interfering with wires. Would I call Pepco in this case?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a tree or a large shrub? It sounds like you’re talking about very low branches if they’re interfering with people walking by.

It is something like this https://detrichpix.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83452606269e20111688d9f66970c-popup
Thin branches and spreading very wide. The branches are not interfering with walking through the alley. They are hanging over a fence. The reason I want to cut it all the way to his fence is that right now the tree blocks all the natural light to my living room. Cutting it just to our property line might not entirely solve this issue, but will at least help with keeping our gutters clear. I will go for some level of trimming either way, but I wanted to understand how far I can cut without creating grounds for a legal dispute. I cant find any clear answer on what are the rules for branches over a public space. Can the neighbor seek compensation if I cut the branches overhanging the alley but stop at his property line? That is what I am trying to understand.

You can cut to your own property line because you have the right to control what crosses into your own property. That is as long as the pruning you do to your property line will not kill the tree. I’m pretty sure that you can’t cut what crosses over public property. A public utility company could, though, if the branches were interfering with overhead wires.

The picture shows a really huge tree: do you have the equipment to prune something that large? Maybe consider hiring a tree service to take care of it. Then you could also ask them about how much you can legally prune. They probably deal with these situations all the time, so they might know the best way to handle it. And they’d also know how much can be trimmed without harming the tree.

I am definitely hiring somebody to do it. I got one quote yesterday, but the guy who came out had no idea what the rules were, which I found somewhat weird. The branches are interfering with wires. Would I call Pepco in this case?

Yes, call Pepco. They will do it for free and will be the ones to blame if the tree dies. Bonus, you’ll be less likely to have electrical problems from the branches and wires tangling with each other in a storm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a tree or a large shrub? It sounds like you’re talking about very low branches if they’re interfering with people walking by.

It is something like this https://detrichpix.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83452606269e20111688d9f66970c-popup
Thin branches and spreading very wide. The branches are not interfering with walking through the alley. They are hanging over a fence. The reason I want to cut it all the way to his fence is that right now the tree blocks all the natural light to my living room. Cutting it just to our property line might not entirely solve this issue, but will at least help with keeping our gutters clear. I will go for some level of trimming either way, but I wanted to understand how far I can cut without creating grounds for a legal dispute. I cant find any clear answer on what are the rules for branches over a public space. Can the neighbor seek compensation if I cut the branches overhanging the alley but stop at his property line? That is what I am trying to understand.

You can cut to your own property line because you have the right to control what crosses into your own property. That is as long as the pruning you do to your property line will not kill the tree. I’m pretty sure that you can’t cut what crosses over public property. A public utility company could, though, if the branches were interfering with overhead wires.

The picture shows a really huge tree: do you have the equipment to prune something that large? Maybe consider hiring a tree service to take care of it. Then you could also ask them about how much you can legally prune. They probably deal with these situations all the time, so they might know the best way to handle it. And they’d also know how much can be trimmed without harming the tree.

I am definitely hiring somebody to do it. I got one quote yesterday, but the guy who came out had no idea what the rules were, which I found somewhat weird. The branches are interfering with wires. Would I call Pepco in this case?

Yes, call Pepco. They will do it for free and will be the ones to blame if the tree dies. Bonus, you’ll be less likely to have electrical problems from the branches and wires tangling with each other in a storm.

Just checked their webpage and I dont think they will do it. All they will do is disconnect the electricity for the trimming so that whoever I hire does not get killed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a tree or a large shrub? It sounds like you’re talking about very low branches if they’re interfering with people walking by.

It is something like this https://detrichpix.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83452606269e20111688d9f66970c-popup
Thin branches and spreading very wide. The branches are not interfering with walking through the alley. They are hanging over a fence. The reason I want to cut it all the way to his fence is that right now the tree blocks all the natural light to my living room. Cutting it just to our property line might not entirely solve this issue, but will at least help with keeping our gutters clear. I will go for some level of trimming either way, but I wanted to understand how far I can cut without creating grounds for a legal dispute. I cant find any clear answer on what are the rules for branches over a public space. Can the neighbor seek compensation if I cut the branches overhanging the alley but stop at his property line? That is what I am trying to understand.

You can cut to your own property line because you have the right to control what crosses into your own property. That is as long as the pruning you do to your property line will not kill the tree. I’m pretty sure that you can’t cut what crosses over public property. A public utility company could, though, if the branches were interfering with overhead wires.

The picture shows a really huge tree: do you have the equipment to prune something that large? Maybe consider hiring a tree service to take care of it. Then you could also ask them about how much you can legally prune. They probably deal with these situations all the time, so they might know the best way to handle it. And they’d also know how much can be trimmed without harming the tree.

I am definitely hiring somebody to do it. I got one quote yesterday, but the guy who came out had no idea what the rules were, which I found somewhat weird. The branches are interfering with wires. Would I call Pepco in this case?

Yes, call Pepco. They will do it for free and will be the ones to blame if the tree dies. Bonus, you’ll be less likely to have electrical problems from the branches and wires tangling with each other in a storm.

Just checked their webpage and I dont think they will do it. All they will do is disconnect the electricity for the trimming so that whoever I hire does not get killed.

Maybe try calling and talking to someone there. Let them know the branches are in the lines and you are worried that there could be problems in a bad storm.

They’ve trimmed trees behind my uncle’s house that were very large and interfering with the lines. They didn’t trim it in a pretty way, to be fair, but they did greatly reduce the chance that his neighborhood would lose electricity in a storm.

Good luck to you!

[Shigeru]

I've dealt with a similar situation, and I can tell you for sure that you can trim the tree along your property line. Or you can arrange for your neighbor to cut it down from his side. One time in our town, it rained very hard, and the tree that was growing next to my fence started to overhang, and there was a very high chance that it would fall right on my bar. So I used Tree Service Antioch CA, to cut down the part that was on my property. I later arranged with a neighbor to get rid of that tree completely. I contacted the same guys. The giant oak tree is now replaced by a green lawn where our children play in peace. So, in order not to do double work, I advise deal with your neighbor. I don't think he will be against the idea.

[Anonymous]

When they do, power companies will generally only trim the branches near the power lines. They leave the branches around the leased wires for the cable/telcos to deal with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the house is vacant, why do you care. The owner doesn't even care. Just trim it.

My concern is that it won't be pretty. My preferred solution would be to symmetrically cut down the entire tree to a much smaller size to prevent that it looks like s*** once I am done with it. It would be the best outcome for everyone in my view but as there is no neighbor, I cant really ask whether I can access his property to trim it down neatly. As pointed out by a PP, the tree really invades quite a bit of space outside of this neighbor's property line. It is not only butted against my house but also covers almost half of the yard of another neighbor. If I just chop it from my side it will be definitely noticeable and a far cry from pretty.

Clip clip clip! Do it today and you will be so happy you did.

[Anonymous]

What jurisdiction?

[Anonymous]

I trimmed my neighbors bush and her husband was really mad

[Anonymous]

• Talk to the neighbor.
•(consult with your insurance company?)
•Talk to the community authorities.
• Talk to others with any interest/ electric etc.
• Have game plan on what you have decided to do based on conversations.
• Put your scheduled proposed actions on paper and courteously mail to all parties allowing time to respond.
• Proceed with your plan as scheduled when no objections are received.
• Revise and repeat steps when necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a tree planted right at his fence. At this point it is overhanging over the entire walkway inbetween our two properties and well over my property line. I am planning to trim the part on my property, but what are my rights about the part of the tree hanging over the alley? I would prefer to trim that part as well to spare myself from trimming all the time and to allow some more natural light to my house. I know legally I can do whatever I want past my property line, but is there any legal consequence if I decide to also trim the branches overhanging the public walkway? I can't go discuss it with the neighbor as the house is sitting vacant since it sold a few months ago.

Why not ask them first?

[Anonymous]

"Why not ask them first?"

because of this sentence you quoted

"I can't go discuss it with the neighbor as the house is sitting vacant since it sold a few months ago."

[Anonymous]

You can trim the tree without killing it.

[Anonymous]

Report it to the city and they will remove the part over the public area