Neighbor wants me to remove tree with branches falling in her yard

[Jon W.]

Hello BP,

I have a rental property with a lot of large trees.  On one side, some of these trees are hanging lower and drops small branches into the neighbors yard.  She has been complaining about the constant cleanup of these small branches and wants me to either remove the trees or cut them back.  I live in Michigan and do not know my liability.  The trees provide a lot of shade to my yard and her yard.  Paying money to cut back perfectly healthy trees seems like a waste.

Has anyone come across this issue with a neighbor and what would be the best course of action. 

I am leaning toward paying a company to cut the trees back to avoid any more conflict.

Thanks,

Jon

[Bill S.]

Everyone is so nice here.

I have told my neighbors if they want the trees trimmed they can trim them to the property line but not to trespass onto my property (cross the property line to trim).

I've spent so much on trees this year, I'm ready to cut them all down if it didn't cost so much. I like trees but they are not cheap.

You will never make some neighbors happy. They will always find something to complain about. If you own enough property you will eventually have one next to someone like this. Your neighbor complaining about small branches sounds like one of those.

You could offer to buy their house at a discount so they wouldn't have to live next to your trees.