Neighbor told me that I have a dead tree and wants it cut down

[Anonymous]

Last night I was cleaning up dinner and my neighbor rang my bell. Apparently, he had some tree removal company come out and give him an estimate and he wanted to let me know that I have a dead tree in my yard. He then said, let's get them removed and see if we can get a better price.
We have a large lot with many trees and honestly the tree he is wanting me to remove is really far back and wouldn't even be on our radar. I think bc he decided to put up a swing set on the property line he is concerned.
We are expecting and tree removal is NOT in our budget right now. Even if it were, I really doubt that of the trees I would want trimmed or removed, this one would be very low on my list.
What would you do?

[Anonymous]

Now that you have notice, you will be responsible if it does any damage, so I would get it taken down.

[Anonymous]

Have someone come out and see if it's really dead. The problem is you now know it is potentially dead... If something does happen (a storm) and the tree falls and causes damage he can say he told you it was dead, but it's always an "act of god". We had a neighbor's dead tree fall on our house and had to use our insurance to remove the tree and repair our roof (in VA). Also in a very wooded area. Even though the tree was in the neighbor's yard it was an "act of god" and our issue to deal with. Being he told you the tree was dead, though, I'd look into it. Not sure it changes who is responsible if it falls.

Other posters may have better/other advice.

[Anonymous]

How does he know it's dead? If it's free, I would get an assessment and estimate (from another removal company) on the tree. Is it close to any houses such that if it falls it would damage his or your home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that you have notice, you will be responsible if it does any damage, so I would get it taken down.

Just because the neighbor says it is dead does not mean it is dead...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that you have notice, you will be responsible if it does any damage, so I would get it taken down.

This is your biggest concern right now. If the tree isn't going to cause any damage if it falls, then NBD that it's dead. But if it does fall onto your property or your neighbor's and causes damage, then you're going to incur more costs than just tree removal. Estimates are usually free, so you can probably have someone come look at the tree. And, while it's true that if you do more than one tree at a time you get a discount, not everyone gives you an equally good discount if it's a neighbor's tree and they are dealing with two different property owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that you have notice, you will be responsible if it does any damage, so I would get it taken down.

Just because the neighbor says it is dead does not mean it is dead...

Obviously. But at a min she needs to have it assessed.

[Anonymous]

Is this your first child? How would you feel about playing in your backyard with your child knowing that your neighbor had a dead tree that could fall at any moment? We had several trees pruned and taken down because of the danger. I've seen two trees fall in my neighborhood, one on the walk up to an elementary school and the other across the road. Luckily nobody was hurt. If god forbid something were to happen, money would be your last concern. This is not just about liability but preventing a potentially horrible life changing experience. Please do the right thing.

https://www.facebook.com/TrippHalsteadUpdates/

[Anonymous]

If you have a dead tree that could come down on a swingset that is on his property (near the property line or not...doesn't matter) than it's your responsibility and duty to take it down. Sorry, but it's true.

[Anonymous]

I would just tell him that you don't see a problem with the tree and it's not in your budget to remove it right now. Tell him he's welcome to have it removed at his own expense.

[Anonymous]

It's easy to tell if a tree is dead/dying - if the leaves are sparse and thinning, the tree is clearly dying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that you have notice, you will be responsible if it does any damage, so I would get it taken down.

This is your biggest concern right now. If the tree isn't going to cause any damage if it falls, then NBD that it's dead. But if it does fall onto your property or your neighbor's and causes damage, then you're going to incur more costs than just tree removal. Estimates are usually free, so you can probably have someone come look at the tree. And, while it's true that if you do more than one tree at a time you get a discount, not everyone gives you an equally good discount if it's a neighbor's tree and they are dealing with two different property owners.

This is not true. The neighbor's insurance would take care of the neighbor's damage. Look into your insurance. It does not matter where the tree originates. The person with the damage uses their insurance to deal with the damage.

[Anonymous]

It is so far back from both of our homes that is why we did not notice it. However, he does have a swing set back there on the property line (his kids are grown and no longer use).
Also, we really don't have the money for this or any other tree to be removed right now. I honestly don't care if it falls.

[Anonymous]

Definitely have someone (NOT the company your neighbor used) come out to look at it and get a quote if it's in fact dead. If it is, then you'll have an idea of what it would cost to have it removed.

It may well be dead but I'd be concerned that your neighbor wants to "split" the cost of the tree work with you and get you to burden more of the costs than is far for all the work he's having done.

[Anonymous]

I would have an arborist come and take a look just to CYA. I have two trees in my yard that are under close watch. We love the shade/habitat they provide, but they're not far from the house and are showing signs of age. We have an arborist take a look once a year at our trees and so far, they haven't advised to take them down. But really - it's just one opinion vs. another. Unless the tree has no leaves, then it's really dead.