I just moved into a place that has a big pine in the backyard that has caused damage to the neighbor's garage. The new owners want to cut down all limbs overhanging their property, which would be almost half of the tree. She claims the resin--not just overhanging branches--from the tree has damaged the garage roof. The owner of the property I live in, who is also a good friend, is willing not only to go along with this, but to cut down the whole tree, since he would get a deal on the cost by using her pruner.

However, this is a huge, wonderful tree that provides shade for the whole yard, which I really like and don't want to see go away. I bent my friend's ear a bit about it and he said he'd talk to the neighbor about the possibility of her cutting just the low-hanging branches in order to clear room for the new garage that she is planning to build, and to prevent future damage, providing it is only from branches scraping against the roof. He thinks that pine tar should help seal the roof, not eat it away.

At this point, I would really like more info on whether pine tar and whatever else drops from pines damages roof tile, as the neighbor claims, if Wisconsin law allows for her cutting the higher branches as well as the lower, and how much you can cut from such a tree without killing it.

Thanks!

Peter

Hello Peter,
Is the damage to the garage just to the roof?
Cutting all of the limbs on one side is a bit drastic, and will shorten the lifespan of the tree, with the potential for leaving the remaining newly exposed branches more vulnerable to failure from high winds, not to metion ruining its appearance.

Cones falling from the pine could damage roof tiles.

Removing some lower branches will reduce the risk of damage caused to your neighbours garage by rubbing branches.

Sap from the pine will not harm the garage,although it may be unsightly. If any parts of the garage are painted, and sap drips on to it, then removing the sap could peel off the paint if the paint is rubbish.

You don't want to cut as much off as possible without killing it. It would be better for the tree to remove as least as possible whilst showing your gumpy neighbour that you are making an effort to maintain the tree close to buildings.

If the new garage is proposed under the canopy, you might want to think about how the foundations might harm the root system?

Ben Oates
Arboricultural Officer
UK

Thanks very much for the information. I will pass it on to my landlord. The damage is only to the garage roof, I believe, as all the branches hang above the roof and don't touch other parts of the garage.

Peter