Diseased Tree on Neighbor's Property

[32charles]

Hi, there is a tree on my neighbor's property which I believe is diseased (there are very few leaves on it, while every other tree along our street is lush) This tree overhangs my property for the most part (and not so much my neighbors), as well as over the street. Whose responsibility is it to remove this tree? The stump and roots? I live in the state of Connecticut.

Thanks

[Another Demise]

i think ur gonna need more proof of death then just a sickly look. i think you could atleast cut branchs leaning over and roots enbtering your yard.

[aaron]

Connecticut law provides,

Any person who cuts, destroys or carries away any trees, timber or shrubbery, standing or lying on the land of another or on public land, except on land subject to the provisions of section 52-560a, without license of the owner, and any person who aids therein, shall pay to the party injured five times the reasonable value of any tree intended for sale or use as a Christmas tree and three times the reasonable value of any other tree, timber or shrubbery; but, when the court is satisfied that the defendant was guilty through mistake and believed that the tree, timber or shrubbery was growing on his land, or on the land of the person for whom he cut the tree, timber or shrubbery, it shall render judgment for no more than its reasonable value.

In other words, you have to be very careful about trimming or cutting trees on a neighbor's property. A law firm created this summary of Connecticut tree law, outlining the liability a tree owner can face for not properly attending to a sick or diseased tree. Connecticut also appears to put significant restriction upon who may trim a tree.

As the tree overhangs the street, the best approach is probably to contact your local tree warden to report your concern.