Trees and neighbours

What are my rights?

If my neighbour's tree branches hang over onto my property, do I need their permission to cut them?
  • Yes
  • No

Clean air. Shade. Privacy. Trees give us all of these and more. But they can also cause disagreements, especially between neighbours. Disputes over trees can arise for many reasons, including overreaching branches and roots, damage caused by a falling tree or overhanging branch, and trespass onto a neighbour’s property to deal with a tree. Learn how to deal with problems involving trees and neighbours.

What you should know

Work out problems

Common questions

Who can help

  • This information applies to British Columbia, Canada
  • Reviewed for legal accuracy in July 2022
  • Time to read: 14 minutes

Reviewed for legal accuracy by

Patrick Canning and Daniel Sorensen, Sorensen Smith LLP

Patrick Canning
Daniel Sorensen

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We are grateful to work on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, whose Peoples continue to live on and care for these lands.