cutting down trees in empty property?

Question

A neighbour died 2 years ago leaving his property empty. Trees in his garden where threatening to smash into my greenhouse and other trees blocked out light so my garden was in darkness. I cut down the trees and now a relative is asking my other neighbour who has cut down the trees. My neighbour who died told me he had arranged for the trees to be cut but unfortunately he was too ill to have this happen. I am worried that I will get into trouble. Apart from the threat to my greenhouse and the light issue, these trees masked a dark area around the walls of the two properties which I found to be a security risk because of people hiding in them!

Answer 1

Sorry but you had no right to go on someone Else's property and destroy things. You should have called the authorities to complain and let them handle the tree situation

Answer 2

What did the neighbour say in answer to the question? Were you seen cutting down the trees and did the neighbour say it was you? You shouldn't have done it as it was trespass but if no-one saw you, you could keep quiet and hope you don't get found out. Get a bit of legal advice on this though to be on the safe side. They'd have to prove it was you. Also, in many places, it's illegal to cut down trees even on your own property.

Answer 3

Since it has taken two years for anyone to come forward here is what I would do. Simply tell the neighbor who was asked that you had a verbal agreement with your neighbor to cut the trees. State that he was going to make arrangements but this did not come to be and you had told him that you would cut the trees anyhow. He was too sick to do it himself. Hopefully you only removed the trees causing the problems and did not take all the trees down. If you removed all the trees and decreased the value of the property, you could have a problem. But it does sound like you had a gentleman's agreement to remove the trees.

Answer 4

1st of all you would in the laws eyes trespassing, however this has to be proved in a court of law. If you cut the trees down from your side of the property then you were NOT breaking the law you were just avoiding the prospect of the current owner receiving an ASBO. (this is fact) To shield any light being natural or electrically lit by trees can be seen as anti social in which case the owner who's property the trees/hedges lie on, is responsible at all times and if they are unavailable for 60 days and you have (notified the council, which i am sure you did, but they didn't want to know) then you are legally in your right and jurisdiction to trim the offending branches.
Pointing out also that if the said trees had damaged your property then the insurance companies would have been seeking compensation from the owner of the property and a hold on that property would have been issued after just 28 days.

Answer 5

Like GW says, you had no right to go on another property and cut the trees down. You're entitled to cut any branches overhanging your property but you must return the offcuts. Someone owns that property, even if it's the executors of the old boy's will. You should have sought out the solicitors dealing with the estate and established who is currently responsible, then contacted them about your concerns. I'm sure you'll be able to explain your reasons and that will satisfy the relative.

Answer 6

I think you may be in trouble if you are found out, as you require permission to cut down most trees now, and should never have gone into someone else's garden without permission But I truly sympathise with you I have the same problem with my neighbour has laylandi now trees taller than the my house I have told him to do something about them but he says to trim them my self, and believe me this spring they will get a fright, because they are keeping sunlight out of my garden, also they are threatening my phone line.I am slightly different from you the good thing my neighbour never said how much I was aloud to trim them he he he.
but I hope your worry dosn't stop you from having a super Chrismas, good luck.

Answer 7

i believe that if you have trees in your garden, you have a duty to look after them, pruning them etc to make sure they are not a nuisance to your neighbours - blocking out light etc
i would go and see a solicitor asap and explain the trees were a danger to your property etc you have written that he was ill and suggests to me that before his illness looked after them and would have cut them himself
how long are you expected to wait?
i say good for you
inbetween time keep quiet and dont worry what your neighbour thinks - what is she to you anyway just a nosey neighbour - cutting trhem down saves the relatives the job when they sell the house it must have also been an eyesore some people fuss over everything
i think you had every right to chop them down
i would have gone the whole hog and totally destroyed them and erected a huge fence
ignore the above post
good luck and happy holidays
go see a solicitor after christmas

Answer 8

You have no legal right to light. Trespass laws are very similar (UK or US law).
Rather than me going on at length, follow the link for US law video.

Answer 9

Cover yourself by talking to an attorney BEFORE the trouble starts. You need to see one immediately after Christmas day. They can do things to protect you and keep you from being sued.

Answer 10

you shouldnt have cut them down and now you got bad ju ju
i hope you learned your lesson
its not nice to fool with mothernature