A tree from my neighbor's yard fell on my property. Am I responsible in Georgia?

When a neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, your first thought might be, who pays for this?

According to Georgia law, the answer often depends on whether the tree showed signs of decay or danger before it fell.

Under Georgia’s Fallen Tree Responsibility laws, if a tree from your neighbor’s yard falls onto your land, you are generally responsible for any property damage it causes, as well as the cost to remove the tree, if it fell due to natural causes like a storm or strong winds.

However, there is an exception to this rule.

When is the neighbor responsible for fallen trees?

Your neighbor may be liable for the damages to your property if:

• The tree had visible signs of disease or death, such as no bark or no leaves in summer.

• The neighbor was warned in writing (for example, by an arborist or a tenant) that the tree was a hazard before it fell.

Do I have to clean up the tree if it’s not my fault?

If there were no signs the tree was dangerous and they weren’t warned about it, you’ll need to cover the cleanup and removal on your side of the property line.

Should I talk to a lawyer?

If you believe your neighbor knew the tree was unsafe or there was written warnings, it is best to consult an attorney in this situation.

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at [email protected]m.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Who pays if storm knocks neighbor’s tree onto my yard in Georgia?