Can I cut my neighbour's overhanging branches in Finland?
Yes — but the order of steps decides. The Neighbour Relations Act (from 1920) grants the right to remove branches and roots protruding onto your side that cause harm — but only after you have demanded that the neighbour remove them and they have not done so within a reasonable time. Only the part crossing the line may go, cut without needless damage to the tree and at the right season — no major cuts during bird nesting. The tree and its trunk are untouchable; they are the neighbour's property. The surprise: cut branches, and even apples that fall on your side, belong in principle to the tree's owner. Keep the written demand and photographs: the burden of proof sits with whoever held the saw.
📋 The rules
- The right covers only branches and roots protruding onto your side that cause harm (shade, leaf load, damage risk).
- Demand first: the neighbour gets a reasonable time to remove them — only then may you pick up the saw.
- Cut only what crosses the boundary — touching the tree beyond the line is criminal damage.
- Work without needless harm to the tree and at the right season (no major cuts during bird nesting).
- Cut branches belong in principle to the tree's owner — offer them before disposal.
🔓 Exceptions
- Immediate danger (a breaking branch over your roof) justifies acting at once — document it.
- Municipal or road-area trees: notify the municipality, don't saw yourself.
- Mere aesthetic annoyance is not enough: the removal right covers only branches and roots that cause harm — shade, leaf load or risk of damage.
⚠️ Penalties
Cutting without a demand, or beyond the boundary line, can be criminal damage — ruining a valuable yard tree can cost thousands in compensation, and the offence stands even if the branches genuinely bothered you. A heavy cut at the wrong season can also kill the tree, which lifts liability from a single branch to the value of the whole tree. Done correctly, removal carries no consequence at all: a written demand, a reasonable waiting period and a cut that stops at the boundary line. Keep the demand and photographs — the burden of proof sits with whoever held the saw.
📎 Sources
- Finlex · Neighbour Relations Act 26/1920 (s. 8) →
- Kuntaliitto · Landscape work permit — when felling trees needs a permit →
- Metsään magazine · Trees and neighbours →
❓ Frequently asked questions
Must I warn the neighbour before cutting?
Yes — the law requires giving them the chance to remove the branches themselves within a reasonable time. A written demand is the best evidence if the matter is later disputed. Only if they fail to act may you pick up the saw.
Can I cut harmless branches?
No — the removal right covers only harmful overhang, such as shade, leaf load or a risk of damage. Mere aesthetic annoyance is not a sufficient ground. Document the harm with photographs before sending the demand.
Who owns the cut branches and the apples?
The tree's owner — fruit falling on your side is in principle theirs too. Offer the cut branches to the neighbour before disposing of them; in practice people usually just agree. The rule bites mainly when the tree is valuable.
Can I fell the neighbour's tree leaning over my yard?
No — the trunk is their property, and felling it is criminal damage. For a dangerous tree, demand that they act; if they do not, the route runs through the municipality or ultimately the court.
When should the branches be cut?
The work must be done without needless damage to the tree and at the right season — no major cuts during bird nesting. A heavy cut at the wrong time can kill the tree and shift the liability to you.
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