Question: Our long back garden is backing onto a number of trees which are on a neighbour’s ditch and run parallel to our garden wall. There are a number of trees which would definitely reach our house if they were to fall in this direction and potentially cause damage.

There is also a rookery of crows which are quite a nuisance from both a noise and bird droppings perspective. We have approached the neighbours but they have said they will not top the trees and the best we can do is to trim any branches overhanging onto our property.

We want to maintain good relations, however if they keep resisting I would like to know our legal position with regards to damage?

Answer: Responsibility for repair costs when a tree falls and damages property depends on several factors, including ownership of the tree and whether negligence was involved.

If the tree was healthy and fell due to natural causes, for example, storms, generally, the property owner affected by the fallen tree is responsible for repairing their own property. They may be able to claim under their home insurance policy, depending on their coverage. The tree owner is typically not liable unless negligence can be proven.

If the owner of the tree was aware (or should have been aware) that the tree was in a dangerous state and did nothing to prevent the risk, they may be held liable for damages. The affected property owner could pursue a claim against the tree owner for negligence.

Legal responsibility

While there’s no strict legal requirement to keep trees at a specific height, landowners have a duty to prevent their trees from becoming a hazard. Under common law, landowners have a duty of care to ensure that trees on their property do not pose an unreasonable risk to neighbouring properties.

If a tree is overgrown, unstable, diseased, or otherwise dangerous, and the owner fails to take reasonable action to maintain it, they could be held liable for any damage caused if it falls.

If a neighbour’s tree overhangs onto your property, you have the right to trim branches that extend into your land. However you must not trespass onto their land to do so. Futhermore, you should not damage the health of the tree and any cuttings should generally be offered back to the tree owner.

If your trimming directly caused the tree to fall, if the trimming was excessive or done in a way that weakened the tree’s structural integrity, the neighbour could argue that you contributed to its instability.

If they took legal action, you might need to prove that your pruning was reasonable and did not directly cause the fall.

Consequently, to reduce this risk you should consult an arborist before trimming; consider getting a professional assessment to ensure that cutting the branches won’t make the tree unstable.

Furthermore, you should notify the tree owner in writing about your intent to trim and allow them an opportunity to address the issue themselves.

Disturbance from the crows

You have limited legal recourse regarding crows and falling debris because Irish law generally does not hold landowners responsible for natural occurrences.

If the disturbance is severe, you could pursue a nuisance claim on the basis that the impact is unreasonable and preventable. It is important to be mindful of environmental and wildlife protection considerations. Crows are protected under Irish wildlife laws, particularly the Wildlife Act 1976, meaning actions that harm or disturb nesting birds may be restricted.

Between 1 March and 31 August, it is generally illegal to cut trees or hedgerows if birds are nesting.

New build

In your query, you also asked about building a new garden shed located under these trees, and if it were then to be damaged by a falling tree in future, where would you stand legally?

Your legal position would depend on several factors, particularly foreseeability, negligence, and assumption of risk. If you knowingly place a shed under trees that are visibly large or potentially hazardous, a neighbour (or their insurer) could argue that you assumed the risk by choosing that location. This could weaken any claim you might make against the tree owner unless the tree was clearly diseased or dangerous.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended as a general guide only. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information contained in this article, Aisling Meehan, Agricultural Solicitors does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions howsoever arising. E-mail info@agrisolicitors.ie