--- title: Who Owns a Tree on the Property Line? url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/who-owns-a-tree-on-the-property-line/ 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/) - Who owns a tree on the property line? # Who owns a tree on the property line? General information, not legal advice: a tree whose trunk stands on the boundary is often treated as owned in common by both neighbors, and an attorney decides what applies to yours. The first step is to confirm where the lot line actually runs. ## Start with the line A fence is not always on the property line, and a trunk can look centered when it is not. The county assessor's parcel map shows the lot lines, and a licensed land surveyor can mark them exactly. Washoe, Carson City and Douglas County each keep their own parcel maps through the assessor. If the whole trunk is on your side, the tree is generally yours, whatever its branches do. If the trunk crosses the line, the usual idea is that both owners have an interest. ## What shared ownership usually means Under the common idea of a boundary tree, neither neighbor may remove it, or cut it back hard, without the other's consent. Written agreement beats a handshake. Photos of the tree before work and a note of who pays are inexpensive protection. Who pays for damage when a tree falls depends on the facts, including the tree's condition and who knew about it. Our guide on [a neighbor's tree fell on your property](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/neighbors-tree-fell-who-pays/) explains the general pattern, and your insurer or an attorney decides. ## How the arborist helps An ISA Certified Arborist can tell you the tree's condition and what the options are, which is the information both neighbors need to decide. We do not decide ownership. An estimate that lists the work can be shared with the neighbor, and we can go through it with both of you if that helps. Fire agencies, HOAs and cities can also have rules about a tree that is dead or hazardous. For the city side, see [permits and rules](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/); for a hazard, read [warning signs before a tree fails](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/warning-signs-tree-failure/). ### Sources - [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) - [Truckee Meadows Water Authority: Local Tree Ordinances](https://tmwa.com/article/local-tree-ordinances/) (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/) - [Warning signs before a tree fails](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/warning-signs-tree-failure/) - [Permits and rules questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/) - [Can I trim my neighbor's branches that hang over my yard?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/can-i-trim-my-neighbors-branches/) - [Free estimate](https://battleborntreeservice.com/free-estimate/) ### Terms on this page [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/) ## More permits and rules questions [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/) [Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Douglas County outside the Tahoe Basin?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/permit-to-remove-a-tree-in-douglas-county/) [Does Battle Born Tree Service handle permits?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/does-battle-born-handle-tree-permits/) [Can I trim my neighbor's branches that hang over my yard?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/can-i-trim-my-neighbors-branches/) [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/) [Previous question: Can I trim my neighbor's branches that hang over my yard?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/can-i-trim-my-neighbors-branches/) [Next question: 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/)