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If you don’t cut down a dead, dying, or diseased tree, it can become a nesting place for pests like mosquitos, bees, beetles, wasps, fly larvae, and more. Some pests will live in the tree, while others will feed off the decaying wood. Unhealthy trees are also more likely to fall over, potentially injuring people and causing damage to your property.

Yes, it’s okay to trim low branches on a tree, also known as limbing up or raising the crown. Essentially, you’ll trim the lower third of the tree (trunk) and leave the upper two-thirds of the tree (crown). Arborists recommend trimming 20% of a tree’s leaves per season for two to three seasons. Trimming low branches allows light to flow through the tree, increasing circulation and making the tree stronger and healthier.

Cutting down a dead tree is always strongly advisable. Aside from being an eyesore, a dead tree can be extremely hazardous, especially when it’s near people or structures. Even if the tree isn’t near your home, it can still harbor pests and diseases that can potentially spread to nearby plants and homes.

In the case that a tree is growing directly on your property line, the cost of maintaining the tree is shared and is the property of both owners in common. In this case, all decisions regarding the maintenance of the tree must be made jointly, and both parties must agree on a course of action. You will need to agree with your neighbor about the cutting of any roots before you carry it out, and your neighbor must also consult with you before doing any trimming. Coming to an agreement with your neighbor about any shared trees ahead of necessary trimming and maintenance will make this process much simpler.