Just Whose Tree Is It?

If a tree topples into a city street, just whose responsibility is it to clear away? According to an official memo from the City of Norwalk, it is the property owner’s responsibility to clear the tree. That might come as news to some, when early road clearing activity had City workers cut trees blocking city roads and left the debris to the side of the road.

The memo came along with updates reminding that some roads are still closed due to downed trees and/or powerlines. The City asked that any tree limbs that are caught up in wires but did not fall or bring down wires be called in to the power company as they still present a danger. Also a danger, trees still standing. There are reports of trees still toppling on Wednesday, and the explanation in a statement described the still wet and loose soil conditions are prime causes for weak trees to remain upright. Some may have been weakened by the storm and have moved, and large evergreens are the poster tree for the type that may be still a danger. The culprit –small, weaker root structures put them at most risk.  Risky trees can be reported to the Customer Service Center – (203) 854-3200 or customerservice@norwalkct.org. Property owners are advised to get out there and check on those trees.

The City of Norwalk’s Yard Debris Site on South Smith Street has been opened and will stay open from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday at least for the next two weeks.

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  • MB

    Insurance companies say if your tree falls in your neighbor’s yard it’s now your neighbor’s tree. Why would this be different for the city?

  • NorwalkSpectator

    A number of years ago, a small tree came down in our yard and landed on our fence. It was hanging over into the neighbor’s yard, so I grabbed a handsaw and went to cut off the branches that were on the fence. One of the occupants of the building next door saw me and promptly called the police because I was “trespassing”. Since then, we’ve been very, very, very careful never ever to set foot on that property and the tree was removed with the use of ropes and multiple people from our side of the fence. The tenant bitterly complained about the three days it took to remove the tree, which wasn’t touching the ground on their side of the fence, but it took longer simply because we weren’t allowed to go on the property. Later, the property owner told us he had no problem with us being on the property, and the tenant should have never called the police, she should have called him first. So removing trees from private property can get really complicated really quickly.