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Your neighbor is not in a good position to know if your trees are truly dead or pose any kind of danger. That’s why hiring an arborist or tree service expert can be such an important part of the process. If the trees are still alive and don’t pose any threat, you’re in the clear (but you may want to document and photograph everything in case events turn sour down the road).

But if a tree is visibly dead and near the property line, you should remove it to be safe. If a dead tree falls on a neighbor’s property, they may have grounds to sue for negligence. If any branches on trees have died, it’s a good idea to cut them back for similar reasons.

Removing tree stumps is a dangerous and complex job that requires a high level of expertise. Many landscapers specialize in general lawn care and maintenance. But, some may have the proper licensing and qualifications needed to safely remove tree stumps. In most cases, though, landscapers will refer you to a local tree removal or stump grinding company.

Yes, stump removal is worth the investment. It costs an average of $400 to remove a stump, but you will likely avoid other more expensive issues, such as termite and carpenter ant infestations, which can cost upward of $1,500 to treat professionally. If termites or ants attack the rotting stump—and they likely will—they could move to your primary structure after the stump is consumed. So, you could incur structural damage to your home as a result, which is even more costly and potentially dangerous.

Dead trees are structurally compromised and prone to branch or trunk failures—falling limbs or the entire tree can pose significant safety risks to people, nearby structures, and vehicles. In addition, dead trees can harbor termites and other pests, which may spread to other trees or even your home. Dry, dead wood is also highly flammable, increasing the risk of fires spreading to homes and across landscapes.