ᐅ Height of Trees at the Property Boundary

Created on: 21 Feb 2022 14:21
I
Illo77
I
Illo77
21 Feb 2022 14:21
Hello everyone,

We have bought a house that has been vacant for about 1.5 years and comes with a large plot of land, where there are many trees, such as beeches, poplars, and maples. The poplars in particular are very tall.

Now I’m wondering, how tall are the trees actually allowed to grow on my property? Some of the trees are located along the boundary of the plot (the property is about 80 meters long (260 feet)), and 10 meters (33 feet) of that border runs along a 4-meter-wide (13 feet) public path, which leads to a nature reserve, before reaching the next neighboring property.

I estimate the height of the trees to be up to around 15 meters (49 feet), definitely tall enough to require appropriate equipment to maintain them, like a cherry picker or similar.

Since some of the trees are already leaning quite a bit, practically leaning over the boundary line toward the path, I’m considering whether it might be wiser to remove them. So far, no one seems to have complained about this, as the path is probably of little interest to the municipality, but if now is a good opportunity... 😉

Narrow, wet paved alley between hedges and bare trees in winter.
Nida35a21 Feb 2022 14:32
The hedge made of deciduous trees hasn’t been trimmed for 30 years.
If you like leaves, shade, and darkness, leave it as is.
Otherwise, remove it. Here, this is only allowed until March 1 and then again starting in October.
Holzhäuschen21 Feb 2022 14:42
I would try to keep all trees and large shrubs as long as they are safe.
Especially old trees are very important for the environment.
Hangman21 Feb 2022 14:43
Nicely overgrown… others (like me) would kill for that 😎

You are not required to remove them since they are existing features. Whether you are allowed to remove them (if you want to) should be clarified with the local authority. Often there are tree protection regulations or similar rules. In our community, there is also a “tree whisperer” who can assess the condition and potential risk posed by the trees.

Personally, I would consult a professional to evaluate their condition and, if necessary, carry out any required pruning or cutting.
H
haydee
21 Feb 2022 14:44
You are standing too close to the property boundary. When planting new vegetation, please keep in mind: for plants up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall, maintain a minimum distance of 50 cm (20 inches) from the boundary; for plants over 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall, at least 200 cm (6.5 feet). In my opinion, no one can reasonably demand a different distance anymore, as the right to do so has likely expired.

If the trees are diseased, they must be removed; if the trees bother you, they can also be removed. However, it takes time for new plantings to provide sufficient privacy screening, and you may need to plant further away from the boundary. I would not rely on the neighbor remaining silent about this.

Please note that from March 1 to September 30, tree removal is generally prohibited. To my knowledge, diseased trees or broken branches may be removed at any time. Be sure to comply with any local tree removal regulations or ordinances.
K
karl.jonas
22 Feb 2022 00:25
You can usually get reliable information from the local forester. My limited knowledge suggests
  • You are responsible for the safety of the trees. This means you need to have them regularly checked for stability.
  • Especially with poplars, this is almost impossible since they tend to rot from the inside.
  • I would recommend having any trees within range and leaning toward a public path or a house removed immediately.
  • Often, a tree-felling permit / planning permission is required once the trunk reaches a certain circumference. The forester will know about this, too.