Neighbors expect new homeowner to front the cost for cutting down an allegedly hazardous tree, all so the neighbors can repave their driveway stress-free: ‘They can’t legally do anything’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Oct 31, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

A large part of why homeowners choose the house they do is because they want the natural elements that come with the property.

Join us in the chant we implore others to live by: "My property is my property is my property." Don't let your neighbors dictate what you do with your property if it is not a threat to theirs. Too often do homeowners cave under the pressure of their pushy next-door residents because they'd rather make them stop talking than stand their ground. Sure, hearing entitled people yelling in your ear day in and day out seems like one of the worst punishments known to man, but cornering yourself into being a pushover is worse—trust us.

In this next story, a new homeowner is surprised when their future neighbors attempt to coerce them into chopping down a tree that grows on their property. The neighbors claim that they consulted with an arborist and they deem that tree hazardous, but have no evidence of this analysis to show for it. The new homeowner can't believe that these people, who aren't even their neighbors yet, are trying to pull a fast one just so they can get their driveway repaved. Their claim? The tree is obstructing the ground that the driveway lies upon. Scroll below to make your own judgment here.

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  • 01
    lumberjack chopping down a tree
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    "Neighbor consulted an arborist to cut down our tree the day before we closed on a house"

    Throwaway as this is oddly specific. We bought a house a few months ago next to a flag lot.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 03
    Yesterday, three months to almost the date of our closing, we got a text from the neighbor whose driveway is next to our house saying they want to repave their drive (which they believe may not have been paved for 35 years) as roots from one of our huge old trees is causing bumps and buckling.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 04
    They told us that they want us to cut down the tree, at our own expense, so that they can repave their driveway and grind the stumps without worrying about "hurting the tree" (i.e., being liable).
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 05
    See, in our city, roots on your property are your concern. You are free to address them as long as you don't hurt the tree, but if you do hurt the tree, you get heavily fined by the city and can potentially face criminal charges.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 06
    We also live in a part of town known for its parks and trees and near a protected wildlife area.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 07
    Our city also takes trees. very seriously and has incredibly strict regulations to protect them. We asked if they spoke to the previous homeowner and they said they had, and that he refused to cut down the tree.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 08
    So they were clearly waiting for new homeowners to try to get us to agree. They then told us they thought the tree was leaning and could fall.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 09
    They told us that they spoke to an arborist who said trimming the roots could damage the tree.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 10
    The same arborist said that the tree is not at risk of falling. They then told us that they thought the tree's roots could damage our foundation.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 11
    So we asked for the arborist report and they told us they didn't get a report about any of this, just a quote for chopping down the tree, which they forwarded us.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 12
    The date on the quote was the day before our scheduled closing, which was also a day the previous owner was out of town.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 13
    It mentioned they'd need to seek permission from the owners as well as a permit. They also included a note saying that they would pay for the grinding on their driveway and that we could pay for the tree removal and permit!
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 14
    a house with a garage and a driveway
    via Brian Wangenheim (Unsplash)
  • 15
    Why get a quote the day before new owners close, not mention it to them for three months (despite seeing us many times) and then try to pull this?
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 16
    The whole thing seemed incredibly low- class behavior to begin with, but them getting the quote the day before they knew we were closing, and then waiting for months to saying anything, cinched it.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 17
    We also asked when they planned to repave and they said "as soon as the tree is removed," as if they thought we'd agree to any of this.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 18
    We asked them if they had considered root barriers and they told us they'd never even heard of such a thing...basically, their MO is to k I the tree, not to protect it or its roots. or simply grade their driveway to go over it.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 19
    They can't legally do anything, and the city would in no way grant a permit to cut this majestic old, healthy tree down even if we wanted to (which we don't--it's a huge old tree that's been around longer than all of us, and in excellent health), but we are pretty shocked.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 20
    Unfortunately, now we have to report everything to the city to ensure there's a solid paper trail in case of any foul play.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 21
    Fortunately, there's a city official already on the case--and they were dumb enough to disclose everything-- including that this has been an issue since they moved in and that the arborist said the tree was healthy--over text.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786
  • 22
    y It's just a cr start life in a new neighborhood.
    via Consistent_Bat_2786

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