Falling Trees

If a tree falls and nobody is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Yes, especially if the tree started on your property and fell on your neighbor’s house.

If a tree rooted on your side of the property line falls across the property line it is your responsibility to clean up. If it damages your neighbor’s property, you are responsible.

Recently a client called about a tree from his neighbor’s property which fell onto his property. The neighbor “kindly” offered to bear half the cost of cleanup. Sorry! The kindly neighbor soon learned that he was responsible for the entire cost of removal. Insurance companies know this rule, which is why they encourage frequent inspection of large trees adjacent to structures to determine whether they are damaged or diseased before they fall down.

— Kevin Palmer