5. Trees and Shrubs

1. 5.1 Minimum Distances
2. 5.2 Planting Servitude
3. 5.3 Disputes


. Frêne d’une hauteur de 20 m proche du fonds voisin

vendredi 10 août 2007.

Question. Je viens d’acheter une maison à un particulier. Ma limite sud de propriété se situe à quatre mètres du mur de la maison. Un mètre derrière cette limite se trouve un frêne mesurant environ vingt mètres de hauteur et dont les branches retombent sur le toit de ma maison. Etant récent acquéreur, la durée de prescription de trente ans pour l’abattage de cet arbre est-elle toujours valable ?

Réponse. Le frêne est un arbre de bois blanc et assez élastique dont les branches en fourche sont souvent utilisées par les enfants pour fabriquer des lance-pierres.

L’article 672 du Code civil confère au propriétaire voisin le pouvoir d’exiger que les arbres, arbrisseaux et arbustes plantés en deçà de la distance légales (2 m, ou 50 cm) ou coutumière soient arrachés ou réduits à la hauteur de deux mètres. En conséquence, si l’arbre ou arbuste est planté à moins de cinquante centimètres de la limite des propriétés, il doit être arraché à la demande du voisin, et s’il est planté à une distance comprise entre cinquante centimètres et deux mètres, il doit être réduit et maintenu à une hauteur ne dépassant pas deux mètres, mais le voisin ne peut, en ce second cas, exiger qu’il soit arraché.

Donc, pour que ce soit clair, l’arrachage peut être imposé lorsque l’arbre pousse dans la zone des cinquante centimètres bordant la limite des fonds, mais non lorsqu’il pousse dans la zone comprise entre cinquante centimètres et deux mètres (Cour d’appel de Paris, 8e chambre A, 17 décembre 1985). Le droit du voisin est présenté comme absolument susceptible de s’exercer même en l’absence de tout préjudice engendré par l’implantation illicite de l’arbre fut-il même un frêne.

La servitude légale de distance pour les plantations d’arbres, arbrisseaux et arbustes, de même que le droit du voisin d’exiger, selon les circonstances, l’arrachage ou l’étêtage à la hauteur de deux mètres en cas de plantation effectuée en violation des dispositions légales, sont tenus en échec par la prescription trentenaire d’un état de chose contraire ayant pour effet de permettre l’acquisition d’une servitude continue et apparente (article 672 du Code civil et Cour d’appel de Rouen, 14 janvier 1899).

La plantation et la croissance d’un arbre étant un fait apparent et public, il a été longtemps considéré que la prescription commençait à courir en principe du jour même de la plantation.

Mais la jurisprudence la plus récente considère que le point de départ de la prescription trentenaire de l’action en réduction des arbres à la hauteur déterminée conformément à l’article 671 du Code civil n’est pas la date à laquelle les arbres ont été plantés mais celle à laquelle ils ont dépassé la hauteur maximale autorisée. Nous avons déjà relaté des arrêts rendus dans ce sens sur Juris Prudentes.

En revanche le fait que le fonds voisin ait changé de propriétaire n’a aucune incidence sur l’acquisition de la prescription

5.1. Minimum Distances

There are national regulations that govern the distance from neighbouring property trees and certain shrubs can be planted.

There are also local planning regulations that apply in some areas, for which you need to refer to your local Mairie.

In the Paris region there is no requirement to respect minimal distances in the planting of trees and shrubs.

The basic rule that applies elsewhere depends on the intended height of the tree or shrub.

If you propose to plant a tree capable of growing beyond 2 metres it can still be planted within 50 centimetres of the boundary, provided it is pruned to remain below this height.

The distance is calculated by measuring at ground level from the middle of the trunk of the tree to the perimeter of the boundary separating the two properties.

Where a property borders a public highway then the minimum distance is 2 metres from the highway, but may be less depending on local regulations and traffic circumstances.

Even though a tree or shrub may not be causing any prejudice, if it exceeds the minimum distances then a neighbour has the right to ask that it be removed or pruned.

5.2. Planting Servitude

Despite the law, two neighbours can agree to agree to recognise planting of a tree or shrub beyond the limits, in which case a planting servitude (servitude de plantation) is created.

In order for this servitude to be binding on subsequent owners it needs to be signed in front of a Notaire and placed on the land registry.

In the same way that a right of light can be created through prescription or the creation of new building plots (see above) the same rule applies to trees and shrubs.

5.3. Disputes

Even though the minimum distances may be respected it is still possible for nuisance or damage to be caused, often leading to significant disputes between neighbours.

Clearly, in the first instance you should try and resolve matters in an amicable manner.

Before you consider legal action, you should speak to your local Mayor, as they may be able to speak to your neighbour and resolve the problem.

If not, then you should consider using a conciliation service in your area, about which you can read more in our pages on the 'Legal System', available on our site in the near future!

If a neighbour is unwilling to cooperate then the matter can be heard in a court of law (Tribunal d’instance) without the need to engage an avocat.

If you wish to take this route, be aware that the court will want to see evidence that everything short of legal action has been taken before being brought to their attention.

We can consider different types of dispute regarding trees and shrubs.

5.3.1. Branches

If the branches of a tree or shrub impedes onto a neighbouring property the occupier does not have the right to prune them without the consent of their neighbour.

However, this rule does not apply in relation to the roots of intruding trees or plants, where a neighbour is entitled to cut them, without the need for consent!

In the absence of agreement on general maintenance, in the last resort you would need to go to law to force your neighbour to undertake the maintenance work.

If a nuisance is being caused then the court is likely to be sympathetic to the complaint. An owner is obliged to maintain trees and shrubs that border a neighbouring property, so as not to cause a nuisance.

Neither it is possible to pick fruit from overhanging branches from a neighbouring garden, although it is possible to collect them from the ground.

5.3.2. Blocked Gutters

Where leaves from a tree belonging to one neighbour block the gutters of another then, as a general rule, the courts will not intervene as this is considered to be a natural phenomenon, for which no-one can be responsible.

However, if the tree has been planted too close to the property or if no maintenance has been carried out then the court can be persuaded to take a different view.

5.3.3. Fallen Tree

If the tree of one owner falls into the grounds of an adjoining property then the household insurance of the tree owner will normally cover any damage that may be caused.

However, if the tree was clearly in a diseased state there may be a condition that limits the responsibility of the insurance company.

In these cases they may argue that the owner should have had the tree removed professionally.

5.3.4. Shading

The courts have considered many disputes between property owners concerning nuisance caused by shading from trees, resulting in a loss of sunlight.

As a general principle, the courts have taken the view that the owner has no automatic right to an uninterrupted view or to benefit from sunlight through their windows.

Nevertheless, where it can be demonstrated that an owner is deliberately trying to cause difficulties for their neighbour or where a property has been deprived of sunlight as to be abnormal then they have found in favour of the complainant.

5.3.5. Noise

There are some communes that have local regulations concerning the times of day when it is not permissible to use a lawn mower or other garden machinery, so that neighbours are not disturbed.

You would need to consult with your local Mairie or Préfecture to establish whether such regulations apply in your locality.

5.3.6 Garden Maintenance

There is no law that obliges a property owner to maintain their garden, although there are regulations that required them to maintain trees and shrubs that border a neighbouring property.

Accordingly, if you find the view disagreeable, there is very little you can do, unless they transgress into your own property.

In some rural areas there are also local regulations concerning the pruning of hedgerows in order to limit the risk of fires, which you might be able to use in relation to a nuisance case.

Next: Rights of Way