NYC won't let me cut down my own damned tree?!
Hello, all. So today, a guy from a very well-known and respected tree service in Prospect Park told me that he will not cut down a nuisance pine tree in my front yard–on my property–because, he said, it is probably “a city tree.” Again, this is not the tree on the parkway–this one is in…
Hello, all. So today, a guy from a very well-known and respected tree service in Prospect Park told me that he will not cut down a nuisance pine tree in my front yard–on my property–because, he said, it is probably “a city tree.” Again, this is not the tree on the parkway–this one is in my yard. And trust me, nobody would disagree that it needs to go–it’s right next to another tree, much prettier, and was obviously planted by somebody who didn’t realize how big it would grow (it’s pushing 50 feet now). This guy surely knows his business, but what is he talking about? The city can cite a tree service for cutting down a tree on my own property? Isn’t that kinda crazy? Any insights welcome. Thanks.
The fact that the tree sits inside your sidewalk fence line does not necessarily mean that it’s on your property. I was kind of surprised to discover a year ago or so, by careful examination of the survey drawings for my house, that the front property line is actually a few feet (three or four, can’t remember precisely) inside the fence line.
John Ife
Yes, milk your tree for essential oils. Set your alarm for 5:30, get your milking stool out and… Wait, what am I talking about?
Anyone have a link to city info on this?
I wouldn’t call a White Pine a weed tree on the East coast. There is a good chance it was planted for its ability to survive in urban environments.
You can try to harvest essential oils from it to sell at the local farmer’s market if you have to keep it.
this is how it works…first you look at your entire block, and you locate the most recessed house back from the street. Any tree within this space has potential for city property. So, your tree may only be 3-4 feet into your property line, but if this tree were to line up against the furthest property on the block, would it be on city property or private homeowner? I had the same situation, and a house on my block sat back about 50 feet, and as it turns out, the city considered anything within that 50 feet city property. I had the city come out and check, and all that did was make it ‘officially’ illegal for me to cut it down.
OP, here– thanks, all. Yes, Xris, the tree is in the front yard, but three or four feet inside the original iron fence that came with the place when it was built in 1879, so I can’t imagine there is any ambiguity about whether it’s on my land. Yes, I’m in the Clinton Hill landmark district, but the tree isn’t a day over 30 years old (it’s a white pine, aka a weed). I think it must be the case that the guy didn’t want the job–but then he quoted me $1000 to prune a 75-foot tree in the backyard, and another 300 to prune a 25-foot fruit tree in front. So maybe he realllllly didn’t want the job, or thinks I’m Heath Ledger? Thanks, all….
And if it is “theirs”?
To make sure whether or not it’s a city tree call 311- tell them to hook you up to the Parks department. The parks department has computerized listings of all the trees that they are responsible for. You tell them your block and lot number, they’ll tell you what trees they have on the books for that property. If they don’t have it, it’s yours and you can do what you like.
A similar issue happend to me a few months back. I had a pine in my front garden, 2 stories high. A company (don’t remember the name) quoted me (over the phone, upon description !) a very high price over 1K and after I inquired why so much, he mentioned that it might even be illegal, I might get fined by the city, etc. Anyways, I found NY Tree and Shrub corp and they came with a good estimate ($350) and cut the tree the following week. I re-hired them to cut another one in my backyard a few weeks ago for 400 + tax. Their number is 718 358 4728/ 516 644 8882.
Couple of possibilities come to mind:
– The guy just didn’t want the job.
– The tree could be located outside the bounds of your property, or too close to the boundary to make the call without a surveyor. Is your problem tree in the front yard?
– I recently learned that there are some exceptional cases where trees on private property are protected. Is your property landmarked or under any other special designation?