Overhanging trees

Who owns trees must be established, as it is the duty of the owner to trim back branches which grow over the land of a neighbour.

Jersey common law suggests the neighbour has no right to trim back branches which grow over their land.

Trees may sometimes be a shared responsibility when they grow on a shared boundary. There might be restrictions on cutting trees. These will usually be noted in the contract of sale at the time of purchase, so it is always a good idea to check this first. Your lawyer can translate your deeds.

If you have a problem you should speak to your neighbours first, or write to them, asking for the trees to be cut. An offer to pay some of the costs can be helpful. Only if this type of approach fails should you consider legal assistance.

Roots

Roots of a tree that encroach upon a neighbouring land may be cut back by that land owner and the severed roots returned to the tree owner.  However it is suggested that in the first instance you invite the tree owner to cut back and in default give notice in writing that you will cut back to the boundary line.

Negligence

If a tree belonging to one landowner causes damage to another landowner then the owner of the tree could be liable in damages for loss or injury. Negligence will exist where damage which is reasonably foreseeable is caused by a person falling below the standard required by the law. There must be a duty of care, a breach and damage leading to causation.

If a landowner can be shown to be at fault in falling below the standard required and the other conditions are satisfied he could be liable in damages. Any dead or diseased tree places the owner on risk of a claim. If no fault can be shown, no liability would arise.

Nuisance

Occupiers of land owe other neighbouring occupiers of land a duty of care not to create a legal nuisance. Nuisance is a condition or activity which unduly interferes with the use or enjoyment of land. This is often related to excessive smoke, noise or smell but can involve trees. In relation to the owner of a tree bordering a highway where the tree causes damage or injury to users, some fault or negligence would need to be shown.

General principles of English Common Law have been applied in cases of nuisance. Poisonous trees such as yews that grow over a neighbour’s land and poison cattle would create a nuisance.

Trespass

Coming on to someone’s property without permission and damaging trees would be considered to be a trespass for which damages can be claimed. Trespass without causing damage is not actionable.

There is no duty owed by a landowner to trespassers so if a trespasser is injured by a fallen tree, they would probably not be able to recover damages.

Control of High Hedges

A copy of the Law can be found here.

Further Information

Trees and hedges (gov.je)