Problematic neighboring trees can prove to be an awkward garden dilemma. Whether they are casting shade, overhanging your property, or perhaps the thick, buttress roots are snaking under the fence and disrupting your patio, it can be tricky to resolve.
The first step is to have a friendly conversation. After all, your neighbor might not realise how the roots are impacting your side of the boundary line. And while you are generally free to act as you wish if a plant is growing within your yard, there are some legal implications to be aware of. For example, if the removal of a root destabilizes the tree and it falls, you, as the root cutter, would be liable for damage and replacement.
So, if you are asking: can I prune my neighbor's tree, take a moment to assess what you can and cannot do with our expert guide, including tips from a professional gardener in Wisconsin and an attorney from California.
Can I cut the roots of my neighbor's tree?
'From a legal perspective, you are allowed to get rid of or deal with whatever parts of your neighbor’s trees or plants end up on your side of the property line,' says Ben Michael, Attorney, Michael & Associates.
'Whether that's cutting a neighbor's hedge, pruning your neighbor's ivy or tree roots growing and expanding into your yard, you can deal with it up to the exact borderline, legally,' Ben says, 'but never over the line.
'However, you also legally cannot cause significant damage to the plant. Your root pruning cannot result in the plant dying, for example.
'So, you have to be careful when it comes to tree roots. If removing them could possibly damage the tree, you may want to avoid doing that, as this would be a tree pruning mistake that could end up costing you.'
Katie Sunderlage, a garden expert based in Wisconsin, agrees: 'When it comes to trimming back the roots of a tree on your property, but it belongs to your neighbor, it’s always best to check with your local jurisdiction. Most jurisdictions allow a land owner to trim or cut tree roots from a neighbor's tree that are encroaching on their land.
'Cutting back to the property line is usually allowed as long as the health of the tree is not in jeopardy.
'Regardless of the situation, when pruning tree branches, I feel it’s best practice to have a conversation with the neighbor before anything is done,' Katie says. 'I think maintaining a good relationship with a neighbor is important.
'And, who knows, the neighbor may help with any expenses or have other options for a solution without things turning sour.'
Steps to take when trimming roots
Some trees, like eastern redbuds, do not tend to produce shallow surface roots, while some other species, including invasive trees like Bradford pears, are known to produce problematic roots that snake along the surface of the soil.
Any smaller roots, under an inch or two in diameter, can simply be chopped back using a pruning saw.
For a large, established tree, removing these will not impact the health of the overall tree. Something like this highly rated Corona pruning saw, available via Amazon, should get the job done.
However, for anything larger, Katie recommends calling in the aborists.
'You might think, I can do this myself, but the professionals will be able to offer the best advice,' Katie says. 'They will likely have experienced this quandry on numerous occasions before.
'In fact, this has just happened to me. I live in a well-established neighborhood with big trees and privacy shrubs between our lot lines,' Katie continues.
'When we got a quote on our fence, it was brought up at that time that some of the roots from trees on the neighbor's lot may get in the way of where the posts need to go.
'Before they even started digging, we talked to the neighbor about the possibility and did mention some of the roots may need to be trimmed when putting in the posts.
'The person putting in our fence did have a document already formed regarding the need to possibly trim roots back, which we gave to the neighbor.
'We both signed the document and dated it, stating we were both aware that the tree roots may need to be trimmed and if any were large enough or in an area where the fence installation team may cause damage, they would consult with both of us prior to continuing.
'The neighbor was very grateful we talked to him before, and also mentioned he will be doing some work in the future and would be talking to us further if he thought any trees on our lot would be affected by this work.
'It was a great interaction, and I think it set us both up to be open in the future about any changes we make to our yard. So, communication is king, and I would always recommend seeking professional help and guidance before getting your axe out of the garden shed.'
For any smaller pruning jobs, you can use a mini-chainsaw, which will easily slice through branches and roots. Try something like this Saker electric mini-chainsaw, available now via Amazon.
As with most neighborly disputes, often the best course of action is communication. Having a calm chat over a cup of coffee might help to quickly resolve any confusion, and with any luck, you can agree on a joint action plan where both parties feel included and empowered.
For more information, see our feature on what to do if your neighbor's tree is blocking sunlight from your yard.
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With a soft-grip handle and anti-kickback safety cover, this six-inch mini chainsaw will easily cut through roots and branches.
