Homeowner feels pressure to take down trees so their neighbor can put up solar panels on their house and save money: 'They shouldn't have bought a house that was around a bunch of trees!'

Author image for María Cetra
María Cetra • Writer
Jun 15, 2026 9:45 AM EDT

Sometimes we try so hard to be eco-friendly that we end up causing far more damage.

 

Technology has changed a lot in the last few years. We have cellphones that can go everywhere, watches that track our heartbeat, and even a personal assistant that answers every dumb question we have –yes, I'm talking about AI. Nevertheless, we haven't really managed to save the planet just yet. We do have some things, such as electric cars, wind energy, and even solar panels, but they are not mainstream yet.

In the case of this Reddit story, they focus on this last one, solar panels, sold to us as an amazing idea to not only save energy and take care of our planet, but also to save money. Reality is that they are quite expensive and take up a lot of space, and that is kind of the problem that this homeowner is describing.

This person has a neighbor who, in his intent of being eco-friendly –and probably saving money too– has bought some solar panels. The problem here is that for them to install them, they need to remove some trees from the property of this Reddit user. He is reluctant, as he doesn't believe that it's good for the environment to be taking out the really old trees he has. Must he stop being reluctant and accept the proposition for some gift cards, or should he stand his ground, maintaining his posture? 
 

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  • 01
    Picture showing two houses next to each other
    via Meg Jenson

    Picture showing two houses next to each other

  • 02
    For context - we've lived on our property for over 10 years. We have a 2.5 acre lot. Along the back of our property, it is wooded, which is nice because it provides privacy from the 4 neighboring homes that are behind us. One of those properties became for sale recently and new neighbors moved in. We were approached by a solar company who said that this particular neighbor is trying to get solar panels installed on their roof and sent us a photo of the trees that need to come down in order for t
    via No_Panda_9171
  • 03
    We understand utility costs are very high right now and they want solar to help with that, but if they shouldn't have bought a house that was around a bunch of trees! We've been here a long time and don't want to take down that many. If the trees were de d or posing a danger, of course they would come down and we've done that previously with a few trees back there. These large trees are also homes to beautiful hawks and other wildlife that we see all of the time. We also think that killing that
    via No_Panda_9171
  • 04
    So our neighbors probably think we're a_h_les preventing them from getting solar. Also, our neighbors haven't approached us personally about this either - all through the solar company.
    via No_Panda_9171
  • 05
    Photo of a solar panel in a field
    via publicpowerorg

    Photo of a solar panel in a field

  • 06
    dazed 1984 NTA. There's just something not quite right about destroying nature like this, I'd feel the same as you it's defeating the purpose.
    via dazed1984
  • 07
    NoContribution9322 NTA but get some trail cams and set them up because they might try and poison the trees to force you to take them down
    via NoContribution9322
  • 08
    GoetheundLotte NTA!! Do not let either your neighbour or that solar company BU Y you!! But I would also install security cameras since the neighbours or that company might well decide to take matters into their own hands and cut the trees down while you are out and about (or wreck the trees so that they will need to come down).
    via GoetheundLotte
  • 09
    KatzAKat NTA. Those trees are providing shade to keep your house cooler during the hot weather. They are there to provide privacy for all the neighbors. They are there to oxygenate the area. Neighbors should have chosen to buy someplace where they could put solar without bothering others. I'm all for solar power. Just don't inconvenience anyone else.
    via KatzAKat
  • 10
    If solar was a priority, they should have considered the tree coverage before buying the house. You're under no obligation to alter your property to accommodate their plans.
    via KatzAKat
  • 11
    Dog Mysterious920 NTA. Your neighbor is asking you to permanently remove five mature, healthy trees from your property so they can install solar panels on theirs. That's a huge ask. Mature trees provide privacy, shade, wildlife habitat, and property value. You can't replace decades of growth by planting a few saplings and calling it even.
    via DogMysterious920
  • 12
    Based on location, they may not be worth as much as trees in your front yard, but they'll certainly be worth much more than some saplings from the local garden center. I agree with other commenters about putting up trail cameras, in case neighbor or solar company tries to k¨l the trees.
    via DogMysterious920
  • 13
    Tom Marvolo_Tomato Certified Arborist here. Your neighbor can not force you to cut down your mature trees so that they can put in solar. The most they can do is prune back overhanging branches back to the property line, provided they don't harm the health of the trees. If you were willing to lose these trees, you would want to hire a Certified Arborist to perform a tree appraisal, which will calculate the value that these mature trees provide to your property.
    via Tom_Marvolo_Tomato
  • 14
    Inside_Gate102 I would advise security cameras back there so they don't try and poison the trees
    via Inside_Gate102
  • 15
    CalyxTeren After getting the arborist out, you might want to find a way to politely convey that the trees have been appraised at (for example) $150,000 with 50 years of life left, and you value them for cooling, shade, and biodiversity. So that they understand what they're in for if they poison the trees or cut them down. And definitely cameras.
    via CalyxTeren
  • 16
    Regular-Pear-8625 NTA - BE CAREFUL OP!! They will *probably try to poison your trees or something along those lines to||| the trees. GET SECURITY CAMERAS! They are probably very mad, and will probably do anything to get those trees down.
    via Regular-Pear-8625
  • 17
    No_Still5826 NTA. Plus has anyone considered the wildlife the trees sustain? As a birder, I shudder to imagine all the birds, insects, and mammals that are relying on those mature trees, only to have them cut down. The neighbors knew what they were buying. I agree with the other commenter suggesting cameras, to make sure no poisoning will be happening!
    via No_Still5826
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10638553600
    via mrgt_rchd

    A hand grabbing a clear sphere showing trees and the sky, model image

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neighbors trees neighborhood-drama solar panels entitled people
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