The Limb Law

We and our next door neighbor had our trees trimmed today. Large limbs had been falling into her yard and onto our patio periodically as leftover damage caused by last Halloween's snowstorm.

The men started about 9 a.m. and finished shortly after 6 p.m. They did a good job and left both yards tidy.

We learned something from them and want to pass it on, if you don't already know it. Any limb, branch, whatever, from a neighbor’s tree that overhangs your property line is your responsibility. You may trim it, cut it down or otherwise prune whatever is on your side of the line.

If any part of a neighbor's tree overhanging your property should fall on your property and cause any damage, the neighbor is not responsible. Your homeowner's insurance may cover it. It may sound strange but that's the way it is.

A strange branch of the law, you might say.