Damage from neighbors tree

My neighbors tree is a white pine tree which is much taller than my three story brownstone. It is also mostly spread across my backyard. Due to the last storm and heavy wet snow and ice, several large limbs have fallen in my yard actually just missing myself and my dogs. What is even worse is that there are limbs that have ripped off the main trunk and are now caught up in the top branches. Consequently I cannot allow myself or my dogs to access the yard as I have no idea when these large limbs will come crashing down. The neighbors without boring you with details are the most obnoxious people I have ever known therefore there will be no help from them. I use my yard every day so this lose is troubling. I am sure that my insurance policy will not cover this problem. Any help will be comforting especially regarding the limbs caught in the upper branches. Thank you

sjb

in Other 11 years and 3 months ago

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slopefarm | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Yes, I second m-h’s coment @ 5:23, and add that you may want to have a tree professional come out first and quote the professional in your letter as to the risk, and make clear you will seek to hold them responsible for any damage, etc. If this gets legal, a profesisonal’s opinion is worth more than yours, no matter how obvious the problem may be to any reasonable person.

marie-helene | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Well, it seems to me your choices are limited, if your neighbors won’t allow for tree care. Still, you should send them a letter with returned receipt making them aware of the dangers of failing to trim their tree. This way, if there is damage in the future, you can go after them legally (cold comfort, I know.)

BobMarvin | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Ugh! Maybe a creative arborist can figure a way to trim it, but I can’t imagine how.

sjb | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Bob the lowest branch is higher than the second story almost at the third story. This is a monster of a tree. If the main trunk goes so goes the house

BobMarvin | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Couldn’t a lot of trimming be done from your side with a pole saw?

sjb | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Thank you Marie-Helene and Jock for your responses. I have many times through the years paid for the branches to be trimmed to the fence line. Actually I am so tired Of doing this and at this point the neighbors would probably deny access to their yard in order to reach the tree and there does seem to be a way to do the trimming without being in their yard But my nervousness is so strong in regard to the limbs which are detached from the trunk but hung up by lower supporting limbs. So frustrating to be trapped and unable to enjoy the yard on this sunny day. I fear a sudden crashing of the limb

slopefarm | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Don’t rule out insurance so quickly. Not sure of the law in NY, but we just dealt with a tree situation in PA for a relative. There, property damage from trees is typically the responsibility of the property owner where the damage occurred, not where the tree is rooted, except where there is a showing of negligence by the tree owner in maintaining the tree. If that were applicable under NY law and NY insurance, you would take care of it under your homeowner’s policy (or out of pocket depending on cost or deductible) and then you or your insurer would go after tree owner for negligence of there was a good faith case to be made and the amount was worth it. Do a bit of googling on this and perhaps talk with your insurance broker.

jockdeboeraia | 11 years and 3 months ago

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It seems everyone has a neighbor like that. Anything over your property you can cut. You can try sending them a certified letter putting them and their insurance company on notice but if you want it taken care of you will need to hire someone to do it.

marie-helene | 11 years and 3 months ago

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The first step is to give your neighbors notice that their tree is damaged, and that it needs attention. Let them know that limbs have been falling, and that it is dangerous to you and your dogs, and preventing you from using your backyard. You can email them or write a letter. Most likely they will do nothing at all. The next step is to find an arborist. By law, you have the right to trim anything that’s over your property line, but you need to give a chance to the owner of the tree to address the issue first. If you hear nothing for a week or so after your first notice, call an arborist and make a plan and a date. Then you can write a second note, letting them know if you have hired someone to take care of the problem, and that so-and-so will come on such-and-such date. In my experience, usually neglectful neighbors don’t change their stripes, and again, the most likely result is that they will ignore you completely, because they’re afraid you might ask them to foot the bill. You can call your insurance company, but I would surprised if you were covered for maintenance. The third step is to have the tree trimmed to your property line. You’re probably looking at a minimum of $500, maybe more if the work is extensive.