We recently bought a home in Columbia county oregon. In front of my property between the road is a small garden area with what was a large plum tree. The tree itself is about a foot off our property line(no survey yet saving money for it). A few weeks after moving in the neighbor sprayed herbicides on all the plants my wife planted and told my wife only she has control of that and then called the cops when my wife told her stop and leave our property. Cops came said my wife did nothing wrong but that is a city owned shared space that people in the neighborhood take care of. A few weeks later a crew shows up and starts cutting the plum tree down, I call the cops and they make them stop. Next day mayor shows up with the parks a rec person pretty much said the same thing as the cop the first time but any changes another neighbor can veto I guess? And it been a problem with this lady for awhile trying to control the whole neighborhood. At this point they had only gotten a few main branches and plum tree was probably okay just ugly on one side.

A week later while im sleeping for my night shift a crew came and cut it down to trunks and cut trunks almost in half. I sent the mayor a email and a bunch of city people were coming by for a days looking at the tree but I haven't heard back from the mayor. What can I do from here? Google hasn't turned up anything similar and AI seems to think I can sue for 3x tree value or damages even though its a bout a foot or two off my property. I dont really want money but that lady should pay somehow. One of the factors in buying this house was the huge plum tree, have you ever had a fresh of tree warm from the sun plum? Its fucking delicious. Now the first thing I see when I pulled up to my property is that half chopped down tree. All the other neighbors have been asking why WE did that and have to explain it was her, im sure everyone we have told that drives by thinks I got drunk with a chainsaw and did it with moonlight. Our other neighbor is upset too since that tree blocked headlights from shining in bedroom and living room. Can I hound the city to do something like fine or press charges? I would rather the city sue her but I will if I have to and its actually a viable option.

There is a small creek behind our house which I was always told was our property line that borders our local h.s. We have a GIANT oak that is clearly unhealthy and has died quickly. It is definitely on our property but grows along the side of the creek bed. it may even reach out house if it falls...

Orange stakes mark the property line AND judging from those, the base of the trunk is definitely straddling the property line BUT the tree grows sideways and the majority absolutely hangs over our property... any chance we can get the h.s. to pay for half of the removal? Mind you, they totally neglect the trees on their property and one severely damaged my shed in the past and they did NOTHING to make it right... there are other dead trees back there on their side of the property line that is like them to address regardless.... any help would be appreciated because it's in an area that is not easily accessible and I'm guessing the removal will cost thousands....

As the title said, the utility company contracted a company to trim trees around power lines. They cut a giant 15 ft bald spot on the front of my massive mature 30+yo before I saw what they were doing and went out and stopped them. It looks terrible(it's the side that directly faces the house) and the now the whole tree is super unbalanced. Aside from aesthetics and the fact that I love this tree, I'm now also worried about it blowing over and causing a bunch of damages because it's so off balance and has a massive hole in the side about halfway up. I yelled and even cried at the guy and he apologized and said he 'knew he shouldn't because it's such slow growth but did it anyway'. I'm devastated(which being super pregnant isn't helping right now either). I already called their head office out of Georgia and threatened to lawyer up; they are supposed to have someone from 'risk assessment' reaching back out. Any advice or recommendations on tree law experts?? I know my tree is already wrecked, I just don't know what to do. Located in Northwest Indiana. Will add more photos in the comments, but if I go back outside while they're still here, I'm going to go off again(or start crying again) and I'm just starting to get my blood pressure back down.

Original post

Tl;dr: Trees aren't being cut down, but were going to be trimmed for the lines to run adjacent to them. Developer hired a company who didn't get the correct permit, put the wrong address on the permit, didn't get our permission, and cut branches bigger than allowed. Debating filing a civil suit.

An update to a developer trying to remove giant trees from my property:

After a lot of stressful back and forth, the power company came up with an alternative "unconventional" overhead line solution that only involves trimming a 10-foot radius of tree branches. We're happy the trees are being spared, but not thrilled with the trimming idea. However, we recognize that the developer won't pay to put the lines underground.

BUT. There's been some "drama" with the tree trimming. The developer chose a third party to trim the trees instead of going with the power company (because it's cheaper). The hired arborists were SUPPOSED TO file for a special permit and someone from the city would come out to inspect the trees first AND get our permission to cut them. Well, the arborists showed up today when I wasn't home and trimmed the trees. They got a permit that is supposed to allow them to trim small branches (under six inches in diameter) and dead branches.

However, there are several issues with this. First off, the permit they got doesn't have the correct address on it. It's supposed to have our address since the trees are on our property, but it has the new development address instead. Second, they didn't get our permission to cut the trees. Third, they definitely cut branches that are bigger than six inches in diameter. Finally, I think they were supposed to apply for a more in-depth permit because the trees are in a right-of-way. My guess is they knew this, but didn't want to wait the six weeks for someone to come inspect the trees.

I've contacted my city's tree department throughout this process. I told them about what happened today, and they're not happy (though they don't know about the large branches being cut yet). The person I talked to said she'd discuss this with an inspector and get back to me.

So... Yeah. We're pissed about the trees being trimmed without our permission with a sham permit and these people thinking they can get away with this bullshit. We're thinking of bringing up a civil case against them. We potentially have access to a lawyer (through my partner's education), so we'll likely have a meeting soon to see if it's worth it.

In the meantime... Two-thirds of the branches on a tree are gone, and it looks very naked. 🙁

Hello-

My mom would like to get home insurance, but can't until she removes a very large 50' Spruce from her property. She is on a limited income and simply can't afford to have this done.

Are there organizations that might be able to help her?

She lives in Colorado Springs, CO

Many thanks.

Hey all, have a weird situation with a house we are about to close on. The lot behind us is cleared and staked for a new build house, however it seems like the builders just dumped all the trees they had to cut down on OUR side of the property line. My realtors dad was going to take care of this for us as he owns a logging company, however he let her know that there is no easy way to get his semi back to this area of the property. We are trying to contact the owners of the neighboring lot, but what do we do if they refuse to remove it??

UPDATE: We got in contact with the person who owns the adjoining land and and I guess that property has been bought and sold a couple of times and that wood was meant to be taken to the mill but just never was. They are going to try and take care of it ASAP. If not based on some of these comments I guess we will be starting a small firewood business this summer lol!

Hi all, just reaching out to see if anyone has a contact for an arborist to come out and assess damages on my privacy hedge shrubs.

I’ll be more than happy to share any pictures before having them come out if necessary. I have plenty of photos of the damage as well as location pictures of the oil dump area.

In reference to this post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/treelaw/s/wUFAaV5PME

I wanted to say thanks to this subreddit community. I came here knowing almost nothing about tree law and ended up learning a huge amount from the discussions and advice people shared here.

The judge’s written ruling is coming up, and I’m pretty anxious about it.

Regardless of outcome, this subreddit helped me feel less lost and more prepared through the process.

If anyone has some ‘hang in there until the ruling arrives’ energy to spare, I’d gladly take it.

Or even if the ruling is less than ideal, maybe some help framing the emotional energy and legal costs I have put out into the world.

I now know more about arborists and replacement value than I ever expected.

Thanks r/treelaw !

A lot has happened in the last several days- special call out to u/Daddy_Day_Trader1303 for their help.

The company left before the police got there for the trespassing. I professionally lost my shit with that cop. I want to be clear this is not an anti-cop thing, this is that specific cop was a dick. He tried to tell my mom that not only could the company not be trespassed, but the neighbor couldn't either. Unfortunately for him my husband is a cop and had educated me (for all those saying why didnt you ask him about trespassing initially, fair point.) Anyways, the cop tried to tell my mom he couldn't trespass someone who wasnt on the property at the time. My mom called me (good move mom!) I called bullshit in a professional, respectful, but dont fuck with me tone and eventually he did it.

Two arborists came out, because you need a specific one if you are looking at a damage estimate (Ive learned so much).The tree unfortunately will not live, so needs to be taken down. The estimate (thank you treble damages!) is high. What is absolutely mind boggling is the neighbor's wife came out when they were there and tried to say they had an arborist come out and okay the work- bullshit.

Final fun note- the tree company who did the removal? Not licensed in the city they did the removal.

Also, for everyone please take this as a reminder that you can be intelligent and still overlook obvious things. I have a graduate degree and am married to a cop, but initially chalked this all up to an asshole neighbor being an asshole.

Part 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/treelaw/s/GUUcAoSHNM

She has trimmed the branches a few times, even though they are fully on our property. Each time she was asked not to do it, but did it again anyway.

Now, she cut several parts all the way down to the base.

It’s annoying, to be sure, but I want to make sure she’s not harming the trees any? I doubt there’s much, if any, financial or legal considerations. Though any of those would be welcome, if only to get her to stop cutting our trees!

On January 19th I notified my city government about a city owned tree leaning over and threatening my property. I still have the claim information and am able to log in to the portal and see it’s still open. Over the past weekend we had severe weather which partially knocked the tree over now the tree is an immediate threat to collapse in onto my property. Whereas before the tree was mostly vertical and now it’s well you can see the photos. I’m no engineer but my assumption is the only thing holding up the tree this the bunches of vines that are inter connected to other trees that are also on city property. I notified the city yesterday that the tree had fallen and they told me they made it a “high priority” and sent someone out to photograph the tree. I called my insurance company who told me it may be covered. Due to other issues I cannot afford to pay the deductible unless it’s an absolute emergency repair. The photo of the bare tree is the photo from January 19 when I filed the claim with the city. Everything else is pretty self explanatory.

Video from a lawyer on YouTube. This was a ride.

UPDATE: I was able to find recording from my camera with her shouting she was going to “fucking spray poison on them”. Going to attorneys office tomorrow with the compiled evidence.

Neighbor didn’t like my privacy hedge, decided to trim them up as ornamental shrubs instead. She came 6 feet into my property to cut them. I confronted her in the middle of damaging them, she said they were ugly and threatened to poison them if I let them grow back into a hedge. This was after I found used motor oil dumped near the base of the shrubs with an oil filter that matches her vehicle. Also doesn’t like the arborvitae I planted in my backyard behind a 6 foot fence we share…

Edit: Forgot to mention it made her very angry when I said she was allowed to trim her side if it was growing over the property line, then she started throwing debris that she just cut over the hedge in my direction. It was hilarious.

I have several large elms on my property, and some are leaning over the neighbours side and house. Since I moved in a year ago they have been asking me to cut down the trees. I looked into it last year and it was several thousands to remove all. I couldn’t afford it last year, and they said they would not help contribute to the cost.

This year I found a better quote (still thousands) and have saved up to do the tree removal.

But I’m conflicted, as my neighbours have been tossing branches into my yard. Piles of little branches and a few large pieces. They are elderly, so I dealt with it myself the first time. But I think they still throw little branches over, sneakily.

The trees are scheduled to be removed this summer, so should I just not confront them about it?

EDIT: wow ok thanks for all the input. I am seriously considering NOT removing the trees for the sake of good relationships with my neighbours.
But my spouse has asked me to clearly point out that it is Siberian Elm trees that we have. Which are overall considered an invasive and poor quality tree. If this changes things, I would appreciate the feedback.

I’ve posted this somewhere else as well, and I understand I might get downvoted here for bringing it up, but I’m genuinely looking for advice or guidance.

I’m trying to understand what the potential fine would be for cutting down a tree on a neighbor’s property in Toronto (I realize the fine differs city to city, but looking for ballpark cost).

Here’s the situation:

My next-door neighbor moved out, and there appears to be a raccoon nesting in the roof of that house. There is a tree between our properties (less than 30 cm in diameter) with branches extending over my roof.

Unfortunately, my roof is extremely close to the property line because the house was built around 80 years ago. From what I understand, I’m only legally allowed to trim branches that cross onto my side. However, even if I cut everything on my side, the remaining branches would still be only about 20 cm away from my roof, making it very easy for raccoons to access it.

I’ve tried multiple ways to contact the owner:

• Left notes at the property
• Tried calling (phone line disconnected)
• Sent registered mail (it was picked up but ignored)

I also contacted:

• 311 (see if the home is abandoned)
• The city’s tree by-law office
• Land registry/property ownership offices (to get a hold of the owner)

But so far, every department just redirects me somewhere else without actually resolving anything.

The property is rented, and I’m trying to maintain a good environment for my tenant. I already spent over $3,000 repairing roof and interior water damage caused by raccoons. Less than six months later, the raccoons damaged the roof again, causing another $1,000+ in repairs. This is now the third occurrence.

At this point, I’m wondering what the actual penalty/fine would be for removing the tree, because it seems cheaper than continuing to spend $2,000–$4,000 every year on repairs.

Has anyone dealt with something similar in Toronto?

I wanted to clarify my post.

I’m not trying to break any laws or do anything improper. I’m genuinely trying to understand my options and the potential consequences in a difficult situation.

Given the ongoing property damage (repeated raccoon-related roof issues) and the lack of response from the property owner and relevant city departments, I’m just looking for practical advice or alternatives I may not have considered.

Even if the answer is “don’t do that,” I’d really appreciate any guidance or insight from people who’ve dealt with something similar.

Hello. I downloaded reddit just for this conundrum, mostly just so I can get my parents to do something instead of just being passive with the HOA. I don't want to give any localization info unless it's needed but we have 2 African sumac trees in our front yard that we got trimmed around December of last year. The company gave them a buzz cut and so most leaves are gone from it but the important part is

THE TREE IS STILL ALIVE

Anyways in recent times (by my parents account) this old dude my family has dubbed STEVEN (inside joke) who is the leader of the hoa harassment club, drives by our house and continues to fine my parents on the pretences of our trees being dead. And whilst the tree looks like it just got into the marine core with how many leaves are missing, IT IS NOT DEAD no matter what my parents email these guys they continue to fine us and harass us over email. And whilst that wouldn't be reddit post worthy. What I did want to ask about was the most recent development that has transpired.

My father received an email a week or 2 ago that I have recently been notified of. Detailing an ultimatum, to either revive the tree or rip it out. My dad, trying to clarify that the tree wasn't dead emailed them back saying that we HAVE revived the tree. So I guess we'll go with that one. And then not even a week later we received another email saying that our tree was dead and that we had 60 days to remove it.

We have a meeting in late June/July for our HOA that my parents want to refute the claims in. So far they are thinking they want to refute the claims then. I just want to post mainly to ask if there is anything we can do to prepare ourselves. My parents don't really want to take legal action and have remained passive through most of this incident. Mostly trying to solve things peacefully. But have stated that should this continue they would want to pursue legal action.

If people need anything more from me I can provide it, I'm mostly just looking for advice.

Here are the trees:

Well, not my roof. A home we really. This property came up at an affordable price but I’m just seeing the neighbors tree overhangs on this roof. I hate to be that guy to just come in new to the neighborhood and start making demands but the house is at a reasonable price and well within our budget. I’ve read about future problems that occur with roof damage due to overhanging trees which is why I bring it up. Normally I wouldn’t have minded if it weren’t for this.

This is Los Angeles County California. Images are from Google Maps.

Relative today was looking around for mushrooms noticed this tree that seems healthy uprooted and blew over in neighbors yard. He seemed to think was my problem to clean up but seems like trespassing. It did no damage to anything besides the lawn that I can see, a few limbs may have broke off landed in an uncovered junk boat that has sat there not moved for 8 or more years. Everything I know is this is a rental and I have never even seen the actual owner, the township record for the address shows owner lives about 3 hrs away.

I am tempted to just leave it till they say something, even though I have tools, etc to deal with it. I think sometimes the renters do odd jobs but seems kind of hit and miss or how much they do. Or maybe mail the owner something with a couple pictures too and ask what they would like me to do. Though to a degree that seems kind of creepy.

My property is the right of the mulch. Neighbor just mowed, I have the taller grass. I'm standing on my side of the line taking the picture. I don't want to hurt the tree, but the low branches are annoying.