Tree standing on a property line. Photo by Jenny Mendolla Arbizu.

No.

If a tree’s trunk is standing on the boundary line of two properties, it is considered to be owned by both property owners. Therefore, neither property owner may cut down the tree nor remove any portion of the tree extending onto his land without the other property owner’s consent. This is even in the case of a tree causing damage on one of the sharing properties.

If the trunk of the tree is fully located on one property, but its branches overhang onto a neighboring property, that neighbor does not need the tree owner’s consent to trim the branches overhanging onto their property. However, the branches can only be trimmed up to the property line.

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Jenny is a Hollister native who resides in her hometown with her husband and son. She attended Hollister schools, graduated from San Benito High School, and earned her BA in literature from UC Santa Cruz...