Can I Cut Branches Overhanging From My Neighbour's Tree?

The limits people get wrong

Cutting beyond the boundary, or pruning so heavily that the tree is damaged or destabilised, can make you liable. Protected trees override the right entirely: consent or notice comes first. Roots follow the same principle as branches but carry more risk, since severing major roots on one side can make a tree unstable and the liability then sits with whoever cut them.

• Check for a TPO or Conservation Area before any cutting.
• Offer the arisings back to your neighbour; do not throw them over.
• Take photographs before and after — disputes are usually about what was actually cut.

A better approach than a boundary cut

A vertical cut along a boundary often leaves a lopsided, ugly tree that regrows aggressively. Where both parties will talk, a balanced reduction of the whole crown usually gives a better result, lasts longer and frequently costs less per household when shared. We are happy to quote the work in a way that makes a shared arrangement straightforward.

How James David Forestry Ltd can help

James David Forestry Ltd works across Liverpool, Merseyside, Wirral, Ormskirk and Lancashire. We assess the actual tree, access and surroundings before recommending work. Clear photographs can be useful for initial guidance, but some questions need a site visit and we will not diagnose a dangerous or diseased tree from website information alone.