Questions About Tree Removal and Property Lines

Submitted by Flip3408 t3_11vm9dp in pittsburgh

I'm a relatively new homeowner. There's 2 large trees in my backyard, both are right along what I think is my property line. The first tree is dying, choked by vines and is hanging dangerously over one of my neighbors house so it's got to go. The second tree is alive and well, but hasn't not been maintained and has some larger branches over my roof so it needs trimmed at a minimum.

First question - what's the best way to determine if the trees are on my property line? I'm 95% sure the first tree is on my property, but I'm 50/50 on the second tree.

Second question - if the tree that needs trimmed isn't mine, who's responsibility is it to maintain it? Mine (because the branches are over my yard) or my neighbor's (because the tree is on their property)?

Third question - any recommendations for tree removal/tree trimming services? I'm located in the south hills.

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Aggravating_Foot_528 t1_jctnkcd wrote

Have you talked to your neighbor? If they're cooperative and will split the costs then it's a win/win and probably the easiest solution. If not you'll have to find an old survey or get a survey which is expensive. One may have been done with the house sale so look through the paperwork.

You can trim branches overhanging your property.

If the tree is on your property and needs to come down but has large branches overhanging your neighbors property, you'll need their consent anyway for the tree company to go on their property to remove the tree, even if you're the one paying for everything.

All is simpler if you start off by talking to the neighbor.

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Flip3408 OP t1_jctoqha wrote

Ok that all makes sense, thank you. Any idea how expensive a survey might be? My property is very small, maybe .1 acres.

I'll definitely need to talk to the neighbor that will be impacted by the tree removal. The neighbor that has the overgrown tree is an extremely difficult person. She has basically abandoned the house, I've only seen her once in almost a year of owning the house. According to the person I bought the house off of, she fights tooth and nail against her doing anything that isn't explicitly her responsibility so I'm preparing for a fight with her, trying to get my facts right about what would actually be her responsibility.

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uglybushes t1_jcu0fvd wrote

You are walking down a path where you will consider starting your own tree service business because of the cost associated with it. Surveys are $600-$1000 and they book about 3 months out.

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Flip3408 OP t1_jcu28km wrote

Ha, that's what I'm afraid of. How much can a chainsaw, a cherry picker and a good life insurance policy really cost, right?

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uglybushes t1_jcu2xb5 wrote

I would also go on r/legaladvice and read all the insane law suits over trees being cut down on peoples property. You will want a survey and written proof your neighbor agreed to it

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GargantuanWitch t1_jcysgrt wrote

If you're anticipating issues with the neighbor, give your local municipality a shout. There are very likely rules that will dictate who is allowed to do what, when, and if there's any notification necessary.

For instance, your borough/whatever may have ordinances in place that allow any homeowner the right to remove tree limbs hanging over their property, if they're in danger of causing damage. If that's the case, you should be completely within your rights to have the tree pruned without needing to involve the neighbor - but check with your local borough manager or whomever, first.

At the very least, they'll already be aware that you're trying to be a good community member IF/WHEN the evil neighbor tries to raise a stink about it.

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Aggravating_Foot_528 t1_jctpz3z wrote

It may be easier if you can handle it just to pay for the whole thing. She's never going to pay and no tree company is going to get involved with an angry neighbor involved if you don't know where the property line is. My guess is that a good survey would be more than $1000 but I could be wrong. I don't know for sure, but they're expensive because they require research beforehand (shit is old here in western pa) and then taking accurate measurements.

Also if the tree is very large they may need a crane/bucket. That adds cost too. But they need to be able to take it down piece by piece safely, especially if it's over a structure.

You could always sue if she refuses but suing and being able to collect is a whole different story.

Or, you could find a tree company that won't ask questions and just have them come out, say they're all on your land, and pay for both of them to be taken down or trimmed, and the neighbor would be none the wiser if she's never actually there. And if she ever says anything just play dumb. That may be the best case scenario honestly.

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Flip3408 OP t1_jctr98j wrote

Makes sense. The trees are in a terrible spot for removal, they're on a steep slope with maybe 8' of sloped yard between the house and a steep drop off in the back, and maybe 6' between mine and my neighbors house to the side. I'm expecting removal or maintenance is going to be very expensive. While I'm usually in that same mindset that I'd rather just do it myself, in this case it might be thousands of dollars.

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Aggravating_Foot_528 t1_jctt0i2 wrote

I like doing stuff myself too but it's worth getting a professional for most trees since you could die. I agree.

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nonymiz t1_jcu08c9 wrote

just for reference... I had 3 trees removed a couple years ago. They were extremely large and overgrown maple trees. It was $4K to have all them removed and to have the stumps and roots ground out. (There was an amazing amount of roots above the ground spreading out from the trunks) It was basically 1K per tree, plus an addtional 1K for the grinding.

I know that I could have it done a bit cheaper, but I had a professional service come in that had proper and efficient equipment. You can get it done cheaper if you're OK with one of those outfits that are basically just two guys and a chainsaw.

I used Keystone Tree Techs; I think they're based out of the Monaca area; I'm in the north hills. Not sure they go to south hills.

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burritoace t1_jcxnyef wrote

Survey should be $500-800 or so, maybe a little more if they flag the corners.

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Aggravating_Foot_528 t1_jcxp409 wrote

OP. It is prob worth getting a survey, flagging the corners, and maybe get them to flag the property line where the trees are. And then take lots of pics. All good for a crazy neighbor who may dispute everything, move the flags, etc etc. You'll get a paper copy but it's much easier to tell everything irl from the flags.

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GargantuanWitch t1_jcysu5e wrote

>Or, you could find a tree company that won't ask questions and just have them come out, say they're all on your land

This is a fantastic way to have something stupid happen, like a person get injured or something insignificant get broken, and now insurance is involved and everything costs 1000x more.

Or, you know, a nosy neighbor sees that you've hired an unlicensed contractor, and calls the police. Which has happened in our neighborhood, because it's full of old people who have nothing better to do than be nebby about other people's shit.

Because, you know, if you remove a tree that isn't yours, you will be successfully sued and liable for monetary damages.

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JVill07 t1_jctxyvt wrote

You should be able to get your property lines marked by qualified surveyors for $200 or so. Tree removal varies but the companies that do it around here and good at working within our terrain. I use Davey Tree and found them reasonable

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alienscape t1_jcyzt60 wrote

My survey was about $750 a couple years ago.

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JVill07 t1_jcz7il9 wrote

Yeah getting your boundaries marked is different that having survey done, for sure.

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alienscape t1_jczgu8j wrote

So this is assuming that the spikes are already in the ground?

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JVill07 t1_jczj31l wrote

No they will find and place the corner markers. It’s when you want the whole scaled drawing and stuff that it can get more expensive.

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GoodGravy412 t1_jcun9kd wrote

I had a row of dying Pines on what I thought were on my neighbors property. Turned out 1/2 of them were on my property. This was revealed when the house was sold and surveying was done. I wanted them removed so I paid for 1/2, new neighbor paid for the other half to be removed.

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