<p>A neighbor’s tall tree has some branches that are horizontal and come onto our property enough to block our windows. I asked him if we could trim them and he asked that his tree guy do it so that the tree’s health would not be at risk.</p>
<p>Now that I have the bid, who pays? I know I am legally allowed to trim to the property line, but he is asking me to use a paid professional not do it myself. On the other hand, I am not sure I would be comfortable doing it myself as it is pretty high up.</p>
<p>One complication is that he has also agreed to me to have his guy trim some other trees (not overhanging my property) which block our view. </p>
<p>If I did not care about the other trees, I think I would ask him if he plans to pay for the overhanging tree, but I don’t want him to get cranky and rescind his offer. </p>
<p>What has anyone’s experience been with payment for tree trimming?</p>
<p>Are these conifers or deciduous trees? I agree that a professional should be involved, not only is tree trimming large trees dangerous, but an amateur can not only injure themselves but damage the tree structurally enough to make it more subseptible to damage/disease.</p>
<p>It sounds like you will benefit more than the owner of the trees by having them trimmed. If I was the neighbor I would split the cost of having the branches trimmed that are actually over your property, but I wouldn’t touch the other trees.</p>
<p>EK- deciduous. We would not ask them to pay any portion of the other trees, just trying to think through what’s common on the overhanging branches.</p>
<p>When my neighbor asked us to trim branches that overhung his property, we paid the professional because it was our tree. But actual laws vary by state or municipality. Some only require the tree owner to trim or pay for trimming if the tree poses a hazard (ours did.) Some only allow the affected property owner (you) to make arrangements, so the other guy isn’t coming onto your property. In many states, you may not be allowed to “trim to the property line,” if it affects the health of the tree. If I were in your shoes and the whole job was at my request and discretionary, not based on a hazard, I would pay for it all. Is your quote so bad? Our work was less than $200.</p>
<p>Just a funny story. Last year we relialized that our backyard neighbor’s house had been dark for quite some time. On the day we confirmed that they had been foreclosed on, H hired a tree service, went into their fenced back yard, and had them trim all the branches that had been bothering us.</p>
<p>It was really a great improvement to the tree…the year before the tree had incurred quite a bit of winter damage and the owners had gone out and hacked off most of the broken branches themselves rather than hire a service.</p>
<p>We had our neighbor’s big sycamore limbed up a few years ago when we did a major landscaping project in our backyard and wanted more sun. While there was some benefit to his tree (in terms of its long term health), it was nothing he would have bothered with on his own. We paid the full cost. If the estimate seems high to you, you might get an second and if it is lower offer to pay that amount.</p>
<p>I always try to err on the side of generosity with the neighbors as chances are we will be dealing with them for years to come.</p>
<p>I would ask the tree person to itemize each job/tree. Only agree to pay the ones that you want (& can afford) and present the remaining estimate to your neighbor, letting him know what portion you are covering and want to go ahead with.</p>
<p>One thing the freak October snow storm taught me is keeping your trees healthy pays off in the long run. We have 3 large and 1 huge oak trees in our front yard. The week before the storm we had the 3 large ones trimmed and the service said we should defer the huge one until the spring. Would you know the huge one dropped 2 huge branches on my power lines, cutting me off the grid for nearly 4 days.</p>
<p>Dmd77…Well…the tree was planted on purpose…annoying.</p>
<p>"(However, if it is legal, keep in mind that accidentally debarking with a weed whacker kills the tree just as effectively but is less obvious.)"</p>
<p>You are being naughty. :)</p>
<p>I have contacted the town once by e-mail and was ignored…so I am going to visit the office.
So…I would be the number 1 suspect if something happens to that tree…</p>
<p>The tree is supposed to grow and then it is to be used for shade…but almost nobody uses that spot.</p>
<p>Really annoying.</p>
<p>I don’t think I can participate in your whacking plan though. :(</p>
<p>I know there are some communities, like Los Altos Hills, where planting new Eucalyptus is not allowed, so check local laws, the city might take the tree out.</p>
<p>I have the biggest, most amazing tree in a neighborhood of great trees. It’s an elm tree, which can be prone to disease, so trimming it at a specific time is crucial to its survival. Of course this fabulous tree spans THREE properties and there are all kinds of power lines around. Guys have to climb it, because you can’t get a cherry picker to get all of it. </p>
<p>So when it’s time to trim, we get in professionals, we warn the neighbors (so they keep their backyards unlocked) and we pay through the nose. The bill is usually close to $3,000. It pains me every time. Guess that’s the cost of living in an older tree-lined area. The cost to cut down said tree is said to be over $7,000. Husband says if it dies, we’re selling the house.</p>
<p>somemom, in your place I would pay for the tree trimming, and be happy that the neighbor is being so cooperative. He is not under any obligation to trim his trees to preserve your view. It would be worth it to me to pay for the trimming to get what I want (overhanging branches gone and view improved) and to preserve good relations. Although you are allowed to trim the overhanging branches yourself, you are not allowed to do so in a way that might kill the tree. With the additional safety considerations, a professional is called for.</p>
<p>I think the neighbor should pay for the trimming since it’s their tree that they’re allowing to intrude on your property. If I had a neighbor complain about a tree of mine intruding on their property I wouldn’t balk at trimming it at my own expense.</p>
<p>See if the neighbor will pay for it but offer to make it easier for them by permitting the trimmer access to your property for the trimming. </p>
<p>I did all of the above with a neighbor and it was all fine.</p>
<p>I’ve also done some trimming of neighbor trees/bushes myself when the property was bank owned and ignored.</p>
<p>Tree trimming is expensive so unless this is a very trivial cut the cost could be much more than you’d expect.</p>
<p>I talked to the town…and I think after going thru a few hoops…
I will be able to cut the 25 ft. Tall, 36 inch circum…at its thickest, eucalyptus tree down.</p>
<p>Anybody have any idea how much that will cost?</p>
<p>And…how much does it cost to trim the top 10 feet of a 40 foot pine tree?</p>