Property Access for Tree Removal
- Thread starter cycloner29
- Start date
I wonder which way he wanted that tree to fall. Awful tall no matter what direction it fell. Best it fell onto his house instead of the neighbor.
On a related question, and I'm sure this is probably very individualized to each community, but when does a homeowner have a responsibility to trim/clear branches and such that are overwhelming public property, like a sidewalk? A homeowner is responsible for clearing their sidewalk of snow/ice; what about their trees? In our neighborhood, we have quite a few people with large evergreen trees falling way over onto the sidewalk. With 2month old twins, it is really annoying to have to try to wiggle the stroller around this when attempting to use the sidewalk.
I'm happy to come by with my hedge trimmers and clear the path.
It's part of city code. Each city varies. In Ames, I believe all branches have to have 8 foot clearance over a sidewalk
Ask the neighbor if you can park all your vehicles in his back yard! 
If your tree falls on your neighbors house, generally speaking, your neighbor's insurance would cover the damage and NOT your insurance. If the tree is dead / unhealthy / needed maintenance, your neighbor's insurance and/or neighbor may try to say you are responsible since you neglected to handle it. However, this most likely is going to go to court and I would not want to predict the outcome. They would have to go to court and prove the owner of the tree was aware of the problem, realized the severity of the problem, ignored the problem, and therefore was negligent. That is going to be pretty hard to prove and likely cost more than the deductible. Their insurance company probably would not fight it because it is not cost effective.
Never ceases to amaze me, the amateur arborists' degree of intellect.
Or, lack thereof. LOL
Should be public available information. I believe in DSM the homeowner is responsible if it impedes access or visibility/safety on a road or sidewalk.
You will have to notify the city, though.
Funny!Now go move the damn car!
There's an arborist on YouTube, Buckin' Billy Ray Smith, who is great at what he does, and knows what he's doing. And he admits, at times, that he is a risk taker, but he always puts the tree right where he wants it. Oftentimes, WITHOUT moving the car, etc., etc., LOL. His experience and confidence in what he does is so high. Here's one clip of him (of many).
That's the gist of it.
Generally it's pretty tough to prove the homeowner of a tree that falls is aware of the hazard beforehand--most people aren't arborists and don't exactly inspect their trees regularly.
Believe it or not, that wasn’t the homeowner, although he probably should have made better hiring choices: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/watc...-down-smashes-into-his-clients-house-24484687
Haha. Curt the bouncer!
Have Curt pull up with his truck and hauler. Call it his mobile office. I'll bet Curt can convince your neighbor that he is a lawyer ready to sue anyone who damages your property.