Our apartment building is located between 2 single family homes. The folks on one side of us have several large old trees in their backyard that have large branches hanging over our property. My LL/employer is in the process of finding a new insurance carrier. His current one has decided to no longer handle rentals. In order to get new coverage, everyone he's talked to will require him to get rid of those branches. Last year he had a tree removed from our backyard and paid to have the neighbors trees trimmed lightly (at their request). He knows he can by law trim the branches that hang over our side, but if he did, it would most likely kill the tree(s) and/or change the weight distribution putting them at risk of falling. That's the last thing he wants to have happen. What can he do if our neighbors don't want to have to trees trimmed?

I wonder if sometimes you have to not worry about the neighbors?

What is the lessor of two evils, making the neighbors angry, or going without insurance?

Sometimes I'll throw in some extra funds towards tree trimming when I know the actual tree owner has no interest/desire/funds/capability in taking care of it themselves. It's a small price to pay for safety on my side, and good neighbor relations on the other.

"Hey, my guy is going to be by on Thursday to trim those trees that are hanging over the property line. If you don't mind him being on your property, I'll have him cut some of the branches on your side, too, so that the tree isn't lopsided. If you want him to trim back even more on your side, you can ask him how much he charges."

Most people will jump at the chance for some free tree trimming. My tree guy doesn't have to worry about trespassing, and has an easier job if he can access the tree at the trunk. The growth doesn't grow back from the trunk nearly as fast as it does from the property line. And the extra trimming on the owner's side isn't as significant or thorough as the real part of the job is, but enough for overall safety.

Win win win win win.

Deanna...

His tree is encroaching on your property by having limbs crossing over the line making them YOUR limbs.

So you have four choices:

1) Trim YOUR branches with his help - hopefully not killing his tree.

2) Trim YOUR branches without his help - Is there any incentive of him helping you if he is loosing some level of privacy?

3) Do nothing - and find a new insure carrier that is alright with the risk YOU are willing to accept.

4) Sell and worry about important stuff like how long a 4 wood as compared to a 3 wood.

Had a similar issue with my neighbor. 3 large trees branches threatening my house. I offered to split the cost he said "Nope we like the trees".