According to a recent report, Georgia loses over 18,000 acres of trees annually. Many are taken down by real estate developers responsible for cleaning up fallen trees in Atlanta, GA, and other parts of the state.
However, hundreds of trees also fall during bad storms in Atlanta. In these cases, it isn’t always as easy to answer the question, “Who is responsible for fallen tree removal?” This can cause neighbor disputes as liability determination often blows in the wind when trees sustain storm damage and topple over.
So, who ultimately has a legal responsibility to remove a fallen tree in Atlanta when it falls unexpectedly? Find out below before calling a tree service in Atlanta, GA, for help.
When You’re Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal
More often than not, property ownership is the deciding factor when answering the question, “Who is responsible for fallen tree removal?” If a tree that sits within the boundary lines for your property falls, you’re in charge of scheduling tree removal.
You might also bear responsibility for removing a neighbor’s fallen tree if it falls into your yard. The only exception to this is if your neighbor’s negligence led to a tree falling. In this case, your neighbor will need to arrange tree removal.
All of that being said, you may not need to pay for fallen tree removal in any of these scenarios as long as you have homeowners’ insurance coverage – though whether insurance covers preventative tree removal is a different question worth understanding before a tree comes down. Unless a tree fell over as a result of your own negligence, your homeowner’s insurance company should pay for some, if not all, of your fallen tree removal costs.
When Your Neighbor Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal
As we alluded, just because a fallen tree was growing in your neighbor’s yard before falling over doesn’t necessarily mean they’re responsible for it. If a neighbor’s tree falls over and lands in your yard and your neighbor didn’t exhibit any negligence, you’re typically required to handle the situation.
Your neighbor will only have to take responsibility for removing a fallen tree when a tree growing on their property falls over and lands in their yard. They may also have to remove a fallen tree that was growing in your yard but landed in theirs if you didn’t demonstrate negligence that led to the tree falling over.
There’s also a scenario in which both you and your neighbor are responsible for removing a fallen tree. If you share a so-called “boundary tree” that straddles your property lines, you’ll have to work together to get rid of it when it falls.
Let Us Help You Answer the Question, “Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Atlanta?”
Answering the question, “Who is responsible for fallen tree removal in Atlanta?” can create confusion, especially when two neighbors aren’t sure who should take on the legal responsibility for it. Life’s Tree Doctor can shed light on who should worry about removing a fallen tree. Contact us to schedule emergency tree removal services.
