Laws for Trimming Trees on Your Property

Utility Company Rights

• Several states, including California and Ohio, have tree cutting laws in place that give utility companies the right to trim trees. Even if the trees sit entirely on your property, the electric or water company has the right to remove those trees or cut back the trees. The company must contact you about any problems, such as trees blocking access to utility lines or meters. Once the company informs you of the problem, it has the right to remove the obstacles.

County/City Owned Trees

• If your property sits near a road owned and maintained by your city or state, then you might face problems with ownership of the trees. In Maryland, these trees are referred to as "street trees" and the state has laws in place that require the city or county to cut and trim those trees. Even though the trees might overhang your property, or even grow partly on your land, you do not own the trees. You must contact the city or county to cut back and trim the trees. In certain circumstances, including storms that cause the trees to fall down or suffer damage, you have the right to remove or cut back the trees, but you must obtain a permit from the county or city.

Property Lines

• You have the right to trim trees that grow on your property line, but if you share ownership with a neighbor, then both parties are responsible for trimming the tree. If the tree grows on your neighbor's property, then you can trim the parts that overhang your property, but you cannot trespass on your neighbor's property. If the tree suffers damage as the result of your trimming, then your neighbor has the legal right to sue for damages.

Warning

• California is one state that has laws in place to protect certain types of trees, including redwood trees. While the tree might grow on your property and legal be yours, you do not have the legal right to trim or cut the tree in any way.