ᐅ Planting fir trees on the neighbor’s property

Hello,

We have a fairly good relationship with our neighbor. Now he has revealed that he wants to plant 2–3 fir trees as a privacy screen towards a multi-family house.

He showed us his 3 older fir trees, which, according to him, grew from very small saplings into mature trees within 8 years.

We jokingly replied, please don’t, then the sun will be gone. What are the general rules regarding such trees that can grow very tall and wide? Are there any regulations here that our neighbor must follow? (distance, height, etc.)

Hello,
it’s always helpful to check the applicable national building code. Others will certainly be able to assist you better with this 🙂

Yes, there is. I believe it’s called neighbor law. From a certain setback distance (I think it’s about 3 meters (10 feet)) in Lower Saxony, for example, you can plant almost anything.

Hello

oh dear, fir trees. They grow quickly, block the light, and... they shed needles. And you find the needles everywhere. Especially in the gutter, which often gets clogged because of them. Furthermore, beneath the fir tree, life disappears. Nothing grows there anymore.
I would try to find a compromise with my neighbor (Thuja etc.).

Steven

Our development plan also specifies which trees are allowed to be planted.

The lowest applicable legal source always applies. It is possible that the municipality has issued a tree ordinance or similar regulation, in which case that applies. If there is none, neighbor law applies.

Best regards
Dirk Grafe