Whose responsibility?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (127966)
United States
July 6, 2026 2:19pm CST
So a lot of the damage done in my dad’s backyard is because a neighbor’s tree fell in their backyard. Knocked down part of a fence, and crushed part of Diana’s garden. I asked why was it my dad’s responsibility to clean that up when all of that was due to what was on his neighbor’s property. He said, it didn’t matter, by law (at least here), if it lands on your property you have to take care of it. Of course, there is always insurance, but you know that fun deductible.
What do you think? By the way, that neighbor has NOT left it up to my dad to deal with it. He and some of the people from my neighbor’s church came over, gathered up the tree branches, chainsawed the wood, raked up the leaves, and propped up the fence until it could be replaced. The neighbor also said he’d pay for the fence, but my dad said he thought it only fair that he at least pay for half of it.
They have great people in that neighborhood. But I just wondered what you thought about responsibility of things like that.
21 people like this
18 responses
@Juliaacv (57703)
• Canada
6 Jul
Here if negligence (lack of keeping the tree trimmed back over the property line) then it is the tree owner's responsibility to pay for the damages. We used to try to keep the lines of communication open with neighbours so that we could draw such things to their attention so that they could trim back their trees and shrubs.
5 people like this
@AmbiePam (127966)
• United States
6 Jul
Yeah, my dad had actually warned him about that very tree because it really looked like if it would have come down on top of the neighbor’s house. I think the neighbor will listen from now on. Everybody loves big, leafy trees, but it’s dangerous (and expensive) not to keep an eye on it.
5 people like this
@Wrexxo (8165)
•
6 Jul
Your neighbor is a good person and id have offered to pay if I were in his shoes
. Trees can fall at anytime and the fact that he offered to pay for it, I'm impressed. I love what your dad did. I wouldn't allow him to pay also and if he insist, Id tell him to pay part of it. Your dad got great neighbors
5 people like this
@snowy22315 (213313)
• United States
6 Jul
It is the same thing here if on your property, it is your problem. The tree that I had that fell on my driveway a couple of years ago, may have technically been on the neighbors property..it was sort of the in between wooded section between our two yards. However, since it fell here I had to take care of it.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (140952)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Jul
What lands in our yard is our responsibility here. But like you just mentioned we all usually work together to get it done
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (101233)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Jul
Glad to hear that. I was going to say that both the neighbor and your dad should share responsibility so good to hear all those people helped,
3 people like this
@mememine (47)
• Vietnam
6 Jul
Okay, the neighbor's tree fell...but why did it fall? Was it knocked over by an act of nature? Or did it simply fall over because it was rotten?
If an act of nature, say high winds/earthquake etc were the cause of its fall, then no, it wouldn't be the neighbor's responsibility because it was an act of nature. Just like if a tornado picked up a rotten tree and slammed a house halfway down the block with it.
Of course property laws vary from region to region.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (127966)
• United States
6 Jul
I see what you mean. I guess since it would have done far less damage had it been properly maintained. I guess it seemed wrong. But I totally get your point. I actually think he’s going to some extensive work in his backyard after this. My dad had warned him that tree could come down on his (the neighbor’s) bedroom, and it’s really a small miracle it ended up in my dad’s yard instead. He’s got another situation on the other side of his yard that could really damage his own house if he doesn’t do something.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (170693)
• United States
7 Jul
If it is in your yard, I believe it is your responsibility here as well. However it is also great when communities pitch in. We share the world and our planet.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (87938)
• United States
7 Jul
I think it depends on the state. Here, if a tree falls from a neighbor’s yard and damages someone else’s property, the owner of the tree is responsible.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (178597)
• United States
7 Jul
In Missouri, it depends. IF the tree was having a problem like dying at the top, or rotting then the neighbor would be responsible for cleaning it up and replacing the fence. If there was no problem with the tree, then it's considered An Act of God and the homeowner and his insurance would be responsible for cleaning things up and replacing the fence.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (178597)
• United States
7 Jul
@AmbiePam It makes me wonder what would happen if the tree was on the property of an Oklahoman and it fell on the property of a Missourian. Whose laws would they follow in that situation? 
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (92358)
• United States
7 Jul
I would assume your dad is right but it certainly sounds like a good bunch of people to chip in and get it all cleaned up. Your dad is lucky to have such nice neighbors
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (60280)
• Philippines
7 Jul
In a neighbourhood where good people live, it's not a big deal. We have here in our place and we call it Baysnihsn spirit. Anyone in the neighbourhood has a problem, everyone works hand in hand to help. It's one of the noted Filipino culture.
2 people like this
@Nakitakona (60280)
• Philippines
8 Jul
@AmbiePam That's what humanity all about.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22712)
• United States
7 Jul
I'm glad the neighbor helped get the tree up.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (63365)
•
7 Jul
It's my understanding that if a tree falls on a neighbor's property due to a storm or tornado, it's considered an act of God. The neighbor has to use his own insurance for damage if there is any. The person who owns the tree gets his/her insurance to pay for his. The exception for this is if the tree was obviously rotted or you had been told to remove it but didn't do so. Years ago Dad lost a fence when a bad storm dropped a neighbor's tree in his yard and destroyed his fence on that side and damaged Dad's garage. Dad knew the tree was rotten because you could see it...his insurance company at the time got an adjuster out and the adjuster declared the tree should have been removed long ago, so Dad didn't have to pay for his own damage. But the tree owner did.
I am glad your Dad's neighbors took responsibility and got the clean up done.
1 person likes this
@valherma00 (5533)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
7 Jul
if it's on my ground and it's a tiny thing, i can take care of it but if it's a bigger, like a tree, i think the neighbour should take care of it but people are tricky so it depends pf the person. i am glad your father got some help.
1 person likes this
