What Should You Do About a Tree Near Your Property Line?

Trees are wonderful for neighborhoods. They provide shade, help manage stormwater, create privacy, and make properties feel established.

They can also create complicated questions when they grow on or near a property line.

Who owns the tree? Can you trim the branches? What happens if the roots are causing damage? Can either neighbor remove it?

Before cutting anything, start by figuring out where the tree is actually located.

Which Property Is the Tree On?

The location of the trunk is an important part of determining ownership.

If the trunk sits entirely on one property, the tree will generally belong to that property owner.

If the trunk crosses the property line, the tree may be considered a boundary tree shared by both owners. Washington courts have treated trees located directly on a common property line as the common property of the adjoining owners.

That means one owner should not assume they can remove the entire tree without the other owner’s agreement.

The difficult part is that fences, landscaping, and assumptions do not always identify the legal property line correctly.

If the tree is close to the line and ownership matters, guessing may not be good enough. A survey may be necessary.

Can You Trim Branches From a Neighbor’s Tree?

A homeowner may generally be able to trim branches extending over their property, but that does not mean they should start cutting without understanding the effect on the tree.

Trimming should not:

• Cross onto the neighbor’s property
• Permanently damage the tree
• Destabilize the tree
• Kill the tree
• Violate local tree-protection rules
• Interfere with utility lines
• Create an additional safety hazard

Removing too much from one side can affect the tree’s balance, structure, and health.

If the branches are large, high, close to a structure, or near power lines, this is not a job for a friend with a chainsaw. It is dangerous work that should be evaluated by an experienced professional.

What About Tree Roots?

Roots can be more complicated than branches because they are underground and may be essential to the tree’s stability.

A homeowner may discover roots near:

• A foundation
• Driveway or walkway
• Sewer or septic lines
• Retaining walls
• Drainage systems
• A planned addition, pool, or landscaping project

Cutting major roots can weaken or kill a tree. It may also make the tree more likely to fall.

Before excavating or cutting roots near a property line, speak with an arborist. Depending on the project, you may also need advice from an engineer, utility professional, septic professional, surveyor, or attorney.

The right professional depends on what the roots are affecting.

Talk to the Neighbor Before the Work Begins

Even when you believe you have the right to trim something on your side, talking with the neighbor first can prevent a much larger disagreement.

Show them the concern. Explain what you are considering. Ask whether they have previous reports, maintenance records, or information about the tree.

If both owners agree that work is needed, put the agreement in writing before hiring anyone.

The conversation may also reveal that the neighbor is willing to share the cost of an arborist or coordinated maintenance.

A tree problem is much easier to solve before either person feels that their property has been damaged.

Check the Local Rules

Tree-removal and pruning rules can vary by city and property.

Additional requirements may apply when the tree is:

• In a critical area
• Near a wetland, stream, or shoreline
• On a steep slope
• Within a public right of way
• Part of a protected tree-retention plan
• Located in a neighborhood with HOA restrictions
• Near utility lines
• Subject to a local size or species restriction

Do not assume that owning the property automatically gives you permission to remove every tree on it.

Contact the city or county before authorizing significant work. If the property has an HOA, review those requirements too.

Be Careful About Cutting the Wrong Tree

Tree disputes can become expensive.

Washington law allows for substantial damages when someone cuts down or injures a tree on another person’s land without lawful authority. In some cases, damages may be multiplied.

That is why it is worth confirming:

• The property line
• Who owns the tree
• Whether the other owner’s permission is needed
• Whether permits are required
• Whether the proposed work could harm the tree

If ownership or legal rights are disputed, this is the point to speak with a surveyor or Washington real estate attorney before work begins.

Hire the Right Professional

An arborist can evaluate the tree’s health, structure, stability, and response to pruning or root disturbance.

If physical tree work is needed, verify the company performing it. Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries recommends hiring an experienced, registered contractor for tree work and provides a tool for checking registration, bonding, insurance, workers’ compensation, and safety history.

Ask potential professionals:

• Are you experienced with this species and type of work?
• Will an arborist evaluate the tree before cutting?
• Could the proposed work damage or destabilize it?
• Are permits required?
• Are you registered, bonded, and insured?
• Who is responsible for confirming the property line?
• How will nearby structures and landscaping be protected?

The Simple Answer

If a tree is near your property line, do not begin with a saw.

Begin by determining where the tree is located, who owns it, what work is actually needed, and whether local rules apply.

Then communicate with the neighbor and involve the right professional.

A careful conversation and an arborist’s opinion will usually cost far less than repairing property damage, replacing a mature tree, or resolving a dispute after someone has already cut it.

If you are buying or selling a home with large trees near a property line, I can help you identify the questions to ask and connect you with local professionals. For ownership disputes or questions about legal rights, consult a qualified surveyor or Washington real estate attorney.

Brandice Raybourn
Real Estate Broker | Coldwell Banker Danforth
Serving Snohomish County, Seattle, the Eastside, and North King County