A Tree Fell On My Neighbor’s Property! Now What?

If a tree in your yard falls into your neighbors yard, and no one is around to hear it – do you have to pay for any damage it causes? 

Sorry for the riddle, but I think you get the point I’m getting at here. The point being, do you, or does your insurance, have to pay for any damages your tree causes to your neighbor’s property and/or the removal of the tree? 

In short, and surprisingly, no. Let’s say a storm rolls through, it knocks your lovely magnolia down and it crashes onto your neighbor’s property, damaging their roof and even crushing their car. Your neighbor’s insurance will kick in to cover the damages that were caused, but you may have some beef with the family next door after this. Sorry about that.

Now, here’s where things get juicy and passive aggressive! Don’t we love that?!

If your neighbor had expressed written concern about the tree causing damage to their property, or eventually needing to be removed if it were to fall into their yard, then you are liable for paying for those damages/removal. 

However, they can’t just leave a sticky note on your door like your college roommate who was absolutely done with you leaving dishes in the sink. They also can’t just send an email, text, DM, or anything else that doesn’t have explicit proof of you having received the note (save for read receipts of course). The proper course of action would be to send a letter in the mail you have to sign for. This provides a time and date stamp that can be used in an insurance claim to prove that you, in fact, knew of their qualms with your tree and were negligent in doing anything to avoid this possibility. 

So if a tree falls in your neighbor’s yard and no one in around to hear it fall, you may still be financially liable to cover the cost of any damages or removal – but even if they didn’t send you a letter, you should probably bake them some cookies, apologize, and come up with a fair plan for the two of you to handle the situation. That’s just going to keep peace in the neighborhood, we don’t want a Desperate Housewives style fight to go down at the next block party…or do we?

Article written by contract writer and digital media coordinator: Candace Cox. You can reach her at socials@howardwebbins.com or candacecox96@gmail.com. 

Candace Cox

Contract Writer &

Digital Media Coordinator