Can I cut a neighbour's branches back to the boundary?
Not immediately — and not back to the boundary. The Civil Law first gives the tree owner the chance to act: you must ask them to prune the branches. Only if they do not may you cut the branches extending over your land yourself — and only up to 4.5 metres above the ground. The cut branches are yours to keep. Fruit: you may pick fruit growing on the overhanging branches if you can reach it from your own land; fruit that falls naturally onto your land belongs to you. Roots are different: you may not simply cut them — but you can claim compensation for damage they cause to your land.
📋 The rules
- You must ask the tree owner to prune first
- If they do not act — you may cut yourself
- Only up to 4.5 metres above the ground
- The cut branches are yours
- Roots may not simply be cut
🔓 Exceptions
- Where the trunk stands on the boundary and the tree is jointly owned, it is not the neighbour's alone
- If a tree leans over a neighbouring building, the Civil Law gives a separate right to demand removal
- Felling the whole tree may still need municipal or nature-protection permission
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no penalty for exercising the right correctly. But cut more than the law allows and you will answer for it. Cutting beyond what is permitted can create civil liability for the damage caused. And if you destroy or badly damage the whole tree, the separate rules on felling trees outside forests apply, with their own penalties. So follow the order: first a written request to the neighbour, then wait, and only then cut — up to 4.5 metres, only the overhanging branches, and not the roots. The written request is also your evidence if the matter reaches court.
📎 Official sources
- likumi.lv · Civil Law, Property Rights →
- likumi.lv · Tree felling outside forests →
- LV portāls · Tree-felling rules →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I cut immediately?
You cannot. You must first ask the tree owner to prune the branches. Only if they fail to act may you cut the overhanging branches yourself — and only up to 4.5 metres above the ground.
Can I cut back to the boundary line?
The law speaks of height, not the boundary: the self-help right covers branches up to 4.5 metres above ground. Cut more and you may be liable for the damage caused.
Can I cut the roots?
You may not simply cut a neighbour's tree roots. But where the roots damage your land you can claim compensation for that damage — a different route to protecting your rights.
Who owns the fallen fruit?
Fruit that falls naturally from the overhanging branches onto your land belongs to you. Fruit still on the branches you may pick, provided you can reach it from your own land.
Who keeps the cut branches?
The cut branches are yours. But that applies only to branches cut lawfully — up to 4.5 metres, and only after the tree owner failed to act on your request.
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