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Neighbor wants me to cut limbs off a 100 year old tree that drops pine needles on his yard.

Neighbor wants me to cut limbs off a 100 year old tree that drops pine needles on his yard.

Q: What pine tree drops its needles?

Most pine trees drop their needles, but some species, like the Eastern White Pine, can shed older needles in the fall. This is a natural process that helps the tree maintain its health by getting rid of older, less efficient foliage.

Q: How do you stop pine needles from dropping?

You cannot completely stop pine needles from dropping, as it is a natural process. However, regular maintenance, such as raking and cleaning up fallen needles, can help manage the mess they create in your yard.

Q: What pine trees drop their needles?

Pine trees such as the Eastern White Pine, Ponderosa Pine, and Red Pine are known to drop their needles periodically. This shedding usually happens in the fall and is part of their natural growth cycle.

Q: What kind of pine trees droop?

Drooping pine trees can include species like the Eastern White Pine and the Loblolly Pine. These trees may exhibit a drooping appearance due to their growth habits or environmental stressors, such as heavy snow or wind.

Full question:

I have a beautiful 100 year o pine tree in the corner of my yard and it drops a very small amount of pine needles in my neighbors yard who has recently bought the property. He want me to cut any limbs that hang over his property even though they about 40 feet up. Cutting the limbs on his side would make the tree lobsided and therefore dangerous. Am I required to cut my tree?

Category: Trees
Date: 04/07/2025
State: California

Answer:

There are many different issues here such as whether the tree really causes harm, or is a nuisance. Whether trimming the tree will damage the tree in a substantial way is also an issue. There are many similar questions that have been answered by keep in mind that each case is different and base don the facts of that case. In your situation the fact that pine needles fall on the adjoining owner would not generally be sufficient for a complaint or action on your part. Likewise, the limbs that are not causing damage or prohibiting the neighbor from using his or her land may not be a problem to complain.

More than likely in order for the neighbor to take any action he or she would need to file a Complaint in the appropriate court to have you remove the limbs. This may be in the form of a request for an injunction. You have the right to defend any such action and state your case. If there are ordnances or a City or County that address the issue they could come into play but we doubt that there are any that specifically cover this situation.

A 100 year old tree deserves protection to the extent reasonable.

Under California law trees on your land belong to you even though roots may grow into the land of another:

833. Trees whose trunks stand wholly upon the land of one owner belong exclusively to him, although their roots grow into the land of
another.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

What time of year do pine trees drop their cones?

Pine trees typically drop their cones in late summer to early fall. This timing can vary depending on the species of pine and local climate conditions. The cones mature and fall as part of the tree's natural reproductive cycle.