--- title: Can I Trim My Neighbor's Branches That Hang Over My Yard? url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/can-i-trim-my-neighbors-branches/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - [Questions and answers](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/) - [Permits and rules](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/) - Can I trim my neighbor's branches that hang over my yard? # Can I trim my neighbor's branches that hang over my yard? This is general information, not legal advice, and an attorney decides. In many places the common idea is that you may trim branches back to your property line at your own cost, but doing damage to the tree can make you liable. ## The common idea, and its limits Many states follow a rule that an owner can cut overhanging branches back to the lot line, while the tree itself belongs to the neighbor. The limits matter more than the rule. Cutting so much that the tree is badly hurt, dies or becomes unstable can bring a claim, and entering the neighbor's land to do it is trespass. We did not find a plain Nevada statute that settles the question for an ordinary yard tree, so we do not tell readers what Nevada law says. An attorney can, and so can your city or county for any local rule. ## Do it the neighborly way Start with a conversation. Many neighbors will agree to have the branches cut, and some will share the cost. Photos and a short note about what was agreed prevent arguments later. If the tree is in poor shape, the problem may belong to the neighbor's insurance, as our guide on [a neighbor's tree falling on your property](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/neighbors-tree-fell-who-pays/) explains. If you plan to cut, do it to industry practice. The ANSI A300 pruning standard that arborists follow does not allow topping, and the ISA calls topping harmful to trees. Large overhanging limbs near a house, wires or a fence are also a safety job, not a ladder job. ## Where an arborist helps An arborist can look at the limbs over your side and say what can be removed without harming the tree, and can write an estimate you can share with the neighbor. Our two ISA Certified Arborists do not give legal advice, and we do not take a side between neighbors. If the branches reach a power line, do not touch them; NV Energy handles its own lines. Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) or use the [free estimate form](https://battleborntreeservice.com/free-estimate/). The trimming itself is described under [tree trimming and pruning](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/tree-trimming-pruning/). ### Sources - [Tree Care Industry Association: ANSI A300 Part 1, Pruning](https://treecareindustryassociation.org/business-support/ansi-a300-standards/part-1-pruning/) (read October 17, 2026) - [International Society of Arboriculture: Why Topping Hurts Trees (brochure)](https://seattle.gov/documents/departments/trees/plantingandcare/pruning/whytoppinghurts.pdf) (read October 17, 2026) - [Consumer Reports: When a Tree Falls, Who Pays for the Damage? (July 8, 2019)](https://www.consumerreports.org/homeowners-insurance/when-a-tree-falls-who-pays-for-the-damage) (read October 17, 2026) ### Talk to the office [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered | Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service. [Free estimate](#quote) ### Keep reading - [A neighbor's tree fell on your property: who pays?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/neighbors-tree-fell-who-pays/) - [Why topping a tree is not pruning](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/why-tree-topping-is-not-pruning/) - [Tree trimming and pruning](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/tree-trimming-pruning/) - [Permits and rules questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/) - [Who owns a tree on the property line?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/who-owns-a-tree-on-the-property-line/) ### Terms on this page [ANSI A300](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/ansi-a300/) [Arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/arborist/) [The full glossary](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/) ### All permits and rules questions - [Permits and rules questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/) ## Next permits and rules questions people ask [Who owns a tree on the property line?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/who-owns-a-tree-on-the-property-line/) [Who is responsible for the street tree in front of my house?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/who-is-responsible-for-the-street-tree/) [Can the city make me remove a dead tree?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/can-the-city-make-me-remove-a-dead-tree/) [Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Reno?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/permit-to-remove-a-tree-in-reno/) [Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Carson City?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/permit-to-remove-a-tree-in-carson-city/) [Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Sparks?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/permit-to-remove-a-tree-in-sparks/) [Previous question: Does Battle Born Tree Service handle permits?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/does-battle-born-handle-tree-permits/) [Next question: Who owns a tree on the property line?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/who-owns-a-tree-on-the-property-line/)