Q: In Wisconsin, a neighbor is planting trees right along the property line. Can I trim what hangs over my property?
A:
You can trim the tree branches that overhang your property without destroying or killing the tree. You may have a legal duty to trim the branches that overhang your property if they pose a foreseeable risk of damage to a person or property (for example, if they overhang your driveway, they may pose a risk of damage to a car or truck).
As a good neighbor, I recommend consulting with your neighbor before doing so concerning tree maintenance. My neighbor's trees overhang my pool deck and swimming pool, so I ask every Spring if I can trim the trees and even enter their backyard in order to do so as neatly as possible. They have never said no.
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