# Let's say a tree on your property fell over and crashed into a neighbor. . . **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 28, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394 "2011-08-28T16:12:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/1 "2011-08-28T16:12:00Z")
during a hurricane. What do you do? Knock on their door? Wait for them to come to you? Call FEMA? Call your home insurance? Get out the chainsaw? [Not a very good picture of a tree fallen onto a house.](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/Biggirl/P8280013.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/2 "2011-08-28T16:20:29Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > during a hurricane. What do you do? > > Knock on their door? > Wait for them to come to you? > Call FEMA? > Call your home insurance? > Get out the chainsaw? > > [Not a very good picture of a tree fallen onto a house.](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/Biggirl/P8280013.jpg) Unless your neighbor has part of your tree run through their body, you do nothing until the storm is over. Legally, your homeowner insurance has responsibility for the cost of repairs. Morally, you should help with immediate hazard reduction to the extent you’re able (clearing a path through, tarping over the hole in the roof, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/3 "2011-08-28T16:30:54Z")
Also, does it make me a terrible person that, upon seeing the toppled tree, my first thought wasn’t ‘I hope everyone is O.K.’ but ‘Good Lord, how am I gonna pay for that?’. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/4 "2011-08-28T16:41:08Z")
I think\*\* Vunderbob\*\* nailed it. Unless immediate first aid is required, there’s not much you can do during the storm. After the storm, do what you can to mitigate the damage and call your insurance company. You may have a hard time getting through at first, but eventually they’ll set up special disaster assistance lines–usually published in the local paper–and you’ll file your claim. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/5 "2011-08-28T17:01:22Z")
before tarping or moving stuff you could take a bunch of photos to show the damage. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/6 "2011-08-28T17:03:34Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > Legally, your homeowner insurance has responsibility for the cost of repairs. I’m not sure about this. I’m pretty sure there was a thread here some years ago that showed that your neighbor’s policy would have to cover it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/7 "2011-08-28T17:11:41Z")
Like others have said do nothing till the storm is over. And look out for downed power lines! Oh, and be damn careful with any chainsaws. And by be careful find out how to use them properly (just knowing somethings dangerous doesnt really do much to make it less so). Then, help your neighbor with getting a tarp on if possible. But, you are helping them because they are your neighbors in a time of need not because its “your” tree. The fact its “your” tree has nothing to do with it. Its not “your” fault “your” tree got blown over by “that” storm. Its the storms fault and the storm screwed over your neighbors ,not you. You had nothing to do with causing the problem Its my understanding that legally speaking (generally) the homeowner who had the tree fall onto their house/land and or the homeowners insurance have to deal with the tree, not the “tree owner”. At least here in the deep south. Of course laws and local social customs may vary state to state and possible mitigating circumstances like it was half dead tree that YOU should have had taken down years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/8 "2011-08-28T17:23:17Z")
From what I’ve heard, “it depends.” Generally speaking, if my tree fell on my neighbor’s property, it is my neighbor’s problem, not mine. The exception is if I _knew_ the tree was dead or rotting, and thus had a high probability of falling soon. If that’s the case, then I would be responsible, not my neighbor. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/9 "2011-08-28T18:57:27Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > I’m not sure about this. I’m pretty sure there was a thread here some years ago that showed that your neighbor’s policy would have to cover it. I had a neighbor’s tree fall on my house. My insurance company told me “that’s our problem, not your neighbor’s insurance company” and they paid to have my house repaired. (I live in Wa state) Note: situation was reversed but point is that it’s the house owner’s problem not the tree owner’s problem, at least in my case. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/10 "2011-08-28T18:57:51Z")
A couple of years back we had a straight-line wind through our neighborhood, and everyone’s trees fell into the next yard over–my neighbor to the right got my trees, and I got my other neighbor’s. My insurance company paid for the damage to my yard, fenceline to fenceline; everyone else’s insurance did the same, regardless of whose tree the damage was connected to. My insurance folks told me this was standard practice. I think otherwise it gets too difficult to figure out who’s responsible–I know that in addition to my neighbor’s tree in my yard, I also had branches from a tree a couple doors down, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/11 "2011-08-28T19:08:40Z")
Q: Did it take down either your or their power lines? Did you call your utility company? If it did, please call them first. (…if it saves you $$, an arm-load of firewood would be thank-you enough) ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/12 "2011-08-28T19:30:49Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > I had a neighbor’s tree fall on my house. My insurance company told me “that’s our problem, not your neighbor’s insurance company” and they paid to have my house repaired. (I live in Wa state) No matter who is responsible vs. whose policy holder is called first, the respective insurance companies will subrogate the matter to cover what the law says for the area. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/13 "2011-08-28T20:07:55Z")
Me and the hubby rang their bell. No one was home. Another thing is, we are not sure how to clean this up. The tree is taller than the house it fell on and we are not lumberjacks. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/14 "2011-08-28T20:21:58Z")
You _don’t_ clean up a tree that fell on a neighbor’s house. Things are liable to shift and cause more damage. You could offer to help rake up leaves and small branches after the tree has been removed. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/15 "2011-08-28T20:25:27Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > You _don’t_ clean up a tree that fell on a neighbor’s house. Things are liable to shift and cause more damage. > > You could offer to help rake up leaves and small branches after the tree has been removed. Yeah but. . . some of it is in my yard. The uplifted root and about 6 feet of tree trunk, it has brought down the fence in between our properties. The tree can’t stay there forever. I’m wondering what needs to be done to clean it up. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/16 "2011-08-28T21:09:59Z")
Professionals need to do the removal, not you. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/17 "2011-08-28T21:17:49Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Yeah but. . . some of it is in my yard. The uplifted root and about 6 feet of tree trunk, it has brought down the fence in between our properties. The tree can’t stay there forever. I’m wondering what needs to be done to clean it up. I agree with the other posters that if you arent experienced in doing this kind of stuff you should probably just leave it alone. One thing that might happen is that the neighor or thier insurance deals with the tree on their side of the property and leaves you to deal with the tree on your side of the property. Every guy and his brother who thinks they can solve your problem will come by and tell you they can clean it up for X, with X likely being a large sum of money. As the weeks go by the price for those offers will go down and down. The longer you can wait, the cheaper it will be. Keep the names and numbers for all the offers and when the prices seem to have bottomed out and most of the cleaning has been done, call em back and see what thier new price is. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/18 "2011-08-28T21:18:24Z")
Start by having them call their insurance provider. They will probably then authorize them (or they might contact a company themselves) to hire a removal service. Call your provider to take care of your fence. Depending on how widespread the damage is this may take awhile. ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/19 "2011-08-28T21:30:19Z")
And while all of this is going on (regardless of whether you’re the tree-owner or the tree-fell-on-er) bear in mind that you and your neighbor are going to have to live with each other long after that tree has been taken care of. Be as friendly as you can, be as polite as you can, be as helpful (within safety and legal issues) as you can… ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394/20 "2011-08-28T22:08:14Z")
> [@RetroVertigo](#): > > Professionals need to do the removal, not you. I do not think this can be emphasized enough. Do not touch that tree. That looks like a big dangerous tree. Leaving paying for it to the professionals, too. That’s the whole point of insurance. I think neighborliness should extend to asking the other immediate neighbors if they know how to get in touch with the home owners, especially if the exterior wall was breach. Other than that, let them park in your driveway and they get to keep the wood. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-tree-on-your-property-fell-over-and-crashed-into-a-neighbor/594394.md?page=2)