Perhaps the neighbor is bothered by the height and spread of your spruce - or you yourself are not happy about how much space the conifer takes up. But is cutting the branches and roots of the spruce the right solution?
Is it advisable to cut the roots of a spruce tree?
Cutting the roots of a spruce can cause damage, such as fungal infestation and reduced stability. However, according to Section 910 of the German Civil Code (BGB), neighbors are allowed to cut roots if they are problematic. It is recommended to hire a professional for clipping.
Why cut the roots of a spruce?
Typical case: The neighbor complains about the branches and/or roots of a spruce tree in your garden protruding into his property and demands that you cut them down. Of course, it may also be that you don't like how the coniferous tree is spreading on your property and are therefore thinking about shortening the roots of the spruce, among other things. In fact, the latter can have unfavorable effects, such aslifting paths or damaging pipes/lines to a greater or lesser extent
Does cutting the roots harm the spruce tree?
Yes, cutting the roots of a spruce can cause considerable damage because: Without professional wound care afterwards,Fungioften have an easy time spreading on the cut roots. The resulting trunk rotreduces the stability and the tree threatens to fall over sooner or later - a danger to people, animals and property (houses, vehicles, etc.).
What is the legal situation?
According to§ 910 of the Civil Code (BGB) the following applies with regard to the root cutting of spruces and other trees and shrubs:
- If branches and/or roots of a neighboring tree protrude into your own property and cause a nuisance (!), you can ask the owner of the plant to cut off the problematic parts of the tree.
- If the person requested does not do this within a certain period of time, the “disturbed” person has the right to carry out the cutting themselves - taking into account the growth phases of the tree.
Who pays for tree damage caused by root cutting?
Theowner of the property on which the tree stands is responsible for having professional wound care carried out after the roots have been cut in order to avoid fungal infestation and other damage.
But: He can only take appropriate measuresif he knows about the cutting That means: The neighbor who cuts the roots on his own must inform the owner about it. If he doesn't do this, he too can be held liable for any resulting tree damage.
Who is responsible for damage caused by tree roots from the neighboring garden?
Here too, theowner of the property with the tree is normally solely responsible. However, only if
- When examined, it turns out that the roots of his tree are actually responsible for the damage and
- the owner has previously been given the chance to cut the roots within an agreed period of time.
Can you cut the roots of a spruce tree yourself?
To cut the roots of a spruce you first and foremost need asharp spadeand a specialroot sawHowever, we strongly advise inexperienced people not to do the capping on their own. It is safer and he althier for the tree to leave the work to aprofessional.
Tip
How deep are the roots of a spruce tree?
The spruce is a shallow-rooted tree. On unstable soils, their roots are usually less than 60 centimeters deep; On moderately unstable soils they usually have a length of between 60 and 90 centimeters.