Tree removal and tree service · Fort Wayne, IN
Can you trim a neighbor's overhanging tree in Indiana
Generally yes, from your side of the line, as long as you don't harm or kill the tree. Not legal advice.
The general rule
Lindsey Purcell of the Indiana Arborist Association put the rule this way in a 2025 interview: homeowners can prune branches hanging over their property, but only from their own side and without harming the tree's health. Owners have been held liable when their cutting damaged or killed a neighbor's tree, and digging that damages roots can create liability too.
Source: IndyStar via Yahoo News, "Can you trim your neighbor's tree? Here's what an Indiana arborist says" https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trim-neighbors-tree-heres-indiana-185148496.html. Seen Oct 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a lawyer for your situation.
Before you cut
- Talk to your neighbor first
- Don't go onto their property without permission
- Don't top the tree or cut so much it declines
- If the trunk sits on the property line, it's usually shared. Don't remove it without agreement.
- Hire a tree crew for anything near lines or over roofs
If the tree looks dangerous
Tell your neighbor in writing and keep a copy. A written assessment from an ISA-certified arborist documents the tree's condition and can help if there's a later dispute or insurance claim.