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Who Pays To Remove Damaged Trees?

4,522 views · Published 7 July 2012 · 2:20 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by Alyssa SpiratoWhen a tree on your property line falls into your home, it's pretty clear you're stuck with the bill.But when a big branch crosses a property line and causes damage, it's a gray area about who pays for what.Tennessee law spells out exactly who pays for what in certain situations. In many instances, we found it's best to get to work before a tree comes crashing down.Although a tree came crashing down in Kevin Stretch's yard, he says he's fortunate things weren't worse."There could be five trees laying on top of the house. It was strong enough to do that, and there was stuff flying around all over the place out here yesterday," says Stretch.In this case, one tree fell from Stretch's neighbor's property onto his new fence, and into his yard. Luckily, he's pretty familiar with the situation. He owns a roofing company, Choo Choo Roofing. But not everyone knows what to do, and who legally has to fork over the cash to get it all cleaned up. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance says most times, if something falls into your yard because of a so-called Act of God like weather, your insurance company will pay to get it cleaned up and repair the damage. If you don't have insurance, you're still stuck with the bill.But there are things you can do before a storm strikes. If you see a dangerous tree or branch in your neighbor's yard that you think could damage your property in the future, the Department of Commerce and Insurance says you should inform that neighbor and their insurance company in a certified letter. If they do nothing and the tree falls, you can take the case to court."I can have one of my roofing crews come out and cut it up, and we'll burn it next year for firewood. I'm not that concerned about it, but it's bad when it happens," says Stretch.But not bad for business. Stretch says this storm will have his roofing crews busy for weeks.

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