Neighborly disputes are nothing new, especially when it comes to trees growing over the fence line.
Whether a neighbor’s tree branches hang over your property or their shrubbery is bursting through a shared fence, the result can be a minor annoyance for some people or an outright nuisance to others.
Here’s what to know about your rights as a property owner.
Can you trim a neighbor’s overhanging trees?
Generally speaking, the law allows property owners to maintain their belongings as they see fit. That includes trimming branches that grow past the property line. Edmond, for example, has explicitly said landowners have the right to trim trees or bushes that encroach on the property.
If the tree trunk or bush straddles the property line, both property owners are responsible for caring for shared trees and other shrubbery.
Be careful, though. Oklahoma courts can order you to pay 10 times the cost of someone else’s tree if it’s wrongfully damaged. Crossing into your neighbor’s property to cut a tree is a misdemeanor crime punishable by a year in county jail, a fine no more than $500, or both a fine and incarceration.
What to do before trimming your neighbor’s overhanging branches
Always check state and local laws before pruning the branches of someone else’s tree. Homeowners associations (HOAs) might also have their own rules about tree trimming in the neighborhood.
If you only rent or lease the land, consult with your landlord first.
It’s always a good idea to have a conversation with your neighbor before breaking out the pruner. Reaching a mutual understanding can prevent conflict and unnecessary lawsuits.
Depending on the size of the tree, consider hiring a landscaper or arborist to safely remove any unwanted overhanging branches.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Is it legal to trim your neighbor’s tree? What to know in Oklahoma