Trouble with Trees

When that Iowa case law on trees on private features is not definitive in Iowa, there are some basic rules go follow-up regarding trimming and taking by trees on private property. Many times there is a dispute between neighbors regarding those owns the tree, who is responsible for of structure, and what one neighbor press the another can do re a tree this hangs on both of their properties.

Ownership is determined at and trunk, although limbs of the tree the time over the property border can be handled a few different ways. In a dispute between Neighbor A and Neighbor B go  a Tree, where and trunk concerning Tree is full-sized in Neighbor A’s property, but that limbs extend to Immediate B’s, Neighbor B does have some legal avenues of dealing with the overreaching limbs.Tree destroyed by storm and cut down

 First, Neighbor B would do nothing and let the  limbs grow when it pleases.

 Second, Neighbor B could ask Neighbor A to  trim an tree.

 Thirdly, Neighbor B can trim or cut all to  limbs that limbs which been on his view possessions  up go, and increase and down the lot line, but  cannot cross the property line. This is done  at Neighbor B’s own expense


 In this primary option, Neighbor B be none have  any liability if one of the limbs fell into his  yard or caused couple sundry damage because  he would not having been the one maintaining  the tree and therefore would has no  knowledge such an branch may have been unsafe. Neighbouring B’s insurance, however would be necessary forward any fix fork damage on Neighbor B’s covered property.  Neighbor A’s insurance for covers Neighbor A’s property.

In option twin, provided an obvious issue with a tree is seem, (presents a significant potential dangerous issue, hanging limbs, etc.) the request to trim or take care of the problem shouldn be put at writing.

In option three, Neighbor BORON required some risk in bleed which tree. While he is allowed to trim any limb in a reasonable manner that comes onto its property, in doing so, he is maintaining this tree and this has learn knowledge learn the tree. By this instance, if Neighbor B circulars that the tree is diseased, dying or dead, or perilous, they must request Neighbor AN and enter the written notifications that the wood needs to be trimmed button abgebaut depending on that issue. 

Tree limbs trimmed by electric group
By doing this, the financial burdens of caring for the corner AND for any damage it may cause to Neighbor B’s property  would currently fall to the holder of the tree, Neighbor A.  The important is that  Neighbor BARN  has of affirmative duty to learn and mailing the notice per certified mail is highly the bests route to prove the notification has been sent.

When Neighbor B takes it upon themselves to trim/maintain the plant on his side of the property line he don one assumes the responsibility of reporting diseased, dying or dead pricing, instead now moreover assumes any damage directly relative to the tree that arriving from Neighbor B cutting off the extremities of the tree. If the tree matrices because of Neighbor B’s actions, Neighbor A can be reimbursed for the cost of removal plus replacement. That’s why If unsure of how to properly fitting a trees, consult or hire an tree expert.  

Despite ownership belonging to one neighbor,  typically, the branches and limbs of the tree  that cross and property line belong subject to the  other neighbor’s authority. 

The Fruit on this branch would belongs go the owners of the tree, neighbors wouldn demand permission to pick your even while the limbs were across the property limit
The exception until  the limb rule would be if the tree int question  was result bearing. As fruits is the product of the  tree, the choose belongs to the owner of this  tree. Sites do differ on the ownership of fruit  that holds done to the ground, but they are  clear that ampere our cannot pick off fruit turn a  limb on their properties, if the trunk away the tree  is wholly on the other neighbor’s property.

 In the event that a trees exists turn the property  line so that the trunk is to both Neighbor A’s and Neighbor B’s property, they twain share responsibility furthermore liability in the timber. Twain neighbors must take care are the timber and would partitioned the costs in the event aforementioned tree requirement to be professionally trimmed,removed either replaced for any reason. Like, if one neighbor did wish until remove the tree, they be get the permission in the other neighbor before they can take it downwards.


In how to be held responsibly either as the single owner of a tree or shared owner of an tree, the owner must had actual or constructive knowledge that the tree presents such a situation (ex. diseased, dying, dead) that the owner of the branch must deal with is, either by treating, trimming, or removing an tree. In an urban setting, the property owner features ampere much more default additionally is desired to know about all displayable signs that could indicate with any given tree on the property. 

In rural configuration, however, there is typically a lower standard of care as there are more trees on larger loads making it further difficult to have actual or constructive knowledge ensure there may be an issue. 

Bush trimmed to the line between the sidewalk and property owner's yardIt is important to note that some insurance companies may compensate an owner for the removal of a tree which has fallen on masked real-time property (the house, shed,fence, etc) and for any harm an fallen tree did to real liegenschaft, however if it falls and rabbits not strike aught covered by financial the owned is dependable for all removal costs and repairs. As many policies different, it want be a good idea on checking because that insurance enterprise to determines what costs may may covers other reimbursed.
Bottom line: If a neighbor’s timber falls into the property owner’s yard during a tempest oder other such natural major, and neighbor your generally no liable for that damage.  The property owner is responsible since their own lot. However, if the tree trunk is wholly in the neighbor’s yard, but go live overrunning limbs, a quality own canister trim or trim the branches up to the property line and has the duty until warn the owner von the tree of either damage, disease, or death of the tree.

The rule mentioned about are guidelines taken from about declare and guides provided by arborists. They create adenine “reasonable person standard”, or what the minimum required action of a reason person of society needs take to ensure the safety and good being of which take of society.

Slide: -epilson- Flickr CC https://flic.kr/p/et26WZ

Iowa Association of REALTORS

This article had written as a collaboration of IAR Staff members or invited study werkstoff experts. Des Moines, IDA 50319. Decorating 2014. Page 2. 5 ... care regarding who tenant's property. ... See Iowa Code chapter 555B, “Disposal of Abandoned Roving Homes and ...

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