| Author |
Message |
    
Spare_o
Citizen
Username: Spare_o
Post Number: 24
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 9:52 pm: |     |
As a new home owner, I need a little help: Our neighbor's tree limbs hang over the property line and is resting gently against the power lines which run from the street to our house. With the recent winds, we have been concerned that the tree limbs will take down the power lines. To prevent this, we think the tree needs to be lightly trimmed back. Who foots the bill? |
zag
Citizen
Username: Zag
Post Number: 12
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 10:31 pm: | |
If the tree is on the power lines, check with the utility. See http://www.pseg.com/customer/home/safety/tree.html Technically the part of the tree over your property is your problem, but it'd be courteous to mention any tree trimming work to your neighbor.
I've had neighbors on both sides of the issue. I once trimmed some branches that were hitting my house and the neighbor went nuts cursing and yelling at me. (OK, she didn't go nuts, she was already there.)
Another time I had a large branch fall across the property line. I tried to get the neighbor to help deal with it, but "he checked with his insurance company and it was my problem". It didn't bother him that the branch was still attached to his tree. |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 212
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 7:22 am: | |
Zag is right
Call PSE&G first ... they 'should' take care of it ...
After that, you have to deal with it, although dropping a note or speaking to the tree's owner is a good idea
Richard (ROC)
--Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.--
--AIM: ROConn |
blackcat
Citizen
Username: Blackcat
Post Number: 171
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 8:27 am: | |
I guess we're good neighbors. Last summer we noticed that our gigantic srpuces' branches were resting on our neighbors roof. We figured it was just a matter of time before they started to get under the shingles of his roof and cause problems. So we had them trimmed. Even the tree guy said most people wait until someone tells them they have to do it. Just wanted to avoid a problem in the future. The trees are nearer to his house than ours but figured it was the right thing to do. He did appreciate it. |
Projects Dude
Citizen
Username: Quakes
Post Number: 16
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 2:32 pm: | |
What happens if there's a tree that's leaning towards the neighbor? I'm not referring to branches here but the whole tree. If it looks like there's a danger it might topple over onto the neighbor, how is that usually addressed? |
Projects Dude
Citizen
Username: Quakes
Post Number: 17
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 2:42 pm: | |
OK, did some quick research... looks like if the tree is diseased, dead or decayed, it's the tree owner's problem. If not and a typhoon hit our area and rips out giant oaks, then it's an 'Act of God' that caused tree limbs to fall or the tree to topple and the tree owner will not be liable.
Hmm... along that line of thought... what happens if you have a diseased tree leaning over the neighbors and you want to get rid of it, but the wacko neighbor is not too hot on the idea coz he likes the shade. I guess since you're the owner of the tree, you have the right to remove it for liability issue... just whether or not the neighbor will be cooperative in letting the tree guys on his yard to do some work. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 452
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 2:46 pm: | |
We had a jungle in our backyard when we moved in. Our neighbor was concerned that we were "taking away his shade" when we cut down several trees, but he got over it. Especially when he ended up with a nicely landscaped property next door instead of a rain forest. |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 268
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 6:00 pm: | |
Def call PSE&G. We had a tree like that with branches all over the wires. One phone call, and they came out and cut down most of the branches. |
Spare_o
Citizen
Username: Spare_o
Post Number: 25
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 6:48 pm: | |
Thanks to all for your feedback.
redY67: Do you have the number you called at PSE&G? We called several months ago and was told this was not their responsibility unless the power line was knocked down as a result of a storm.
Here's some additional information: After looking more carefully at the power line, property line and the tree limbs, the points at which the power line from the pole to our house and the various branches intersect are technically on both sides of the property line. Am I splitting hairs? |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 274
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 7:35 pm: | |
spare_o -- I called the main number and told them that there were branches "hanging" on a power line that were making me quite nervous with the storms. They came out the next day to check it out and cut them. If you make it sound a little more "dangerous" they might be more likely to come out. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page