What is a neighbour tree agreement?
Overhanging branches, a hedge that's grown taller than either house, roots lifting a patio: trees cause more neighbour arguments than almost anything else. Most of those disputes come down to a misremembered conversation about who said yes to what, and who was paying.
This agreement describes the tree, hedge or row of trees and where its trunk stands, while making clear it doesn't settle the boundary or legal ownership. It asks both neighbours to check tree protection, conservation, HOA and wildlife rules first. It records the work agreed, whether the tree stays or goes, any replanting and contractor, a completion date, the quoted cost and each neighbour's share, access to both gardens, who clears cuttings, and how trimming works from now on. If either neighbour worries about safety, the agreement says to get an arborist's advice, and it suggests mediation if you disagree.
- Best for
- Neighbours sharing a tree, hedge or row of trees on or near the boundary
- Signed by
- Both neighbours — add co-owners as extra signers
- Cost shares
- Any split you agree, 50/50 by default
- Length
- 2 pages
When to use a neighbour tree agreement
- Crown-lifting a big tree that overhangs a neighbour's patio
- Agreeing to remove a dying tree on the boundary and split the cost
- Setting a yearly trim for a shared hedge
- Each neighbour looking after their own side of a laurel hedge
- Replacing a felled tree with a smaller native one
What you fill in
19 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: first neighbour, second neighbour.
1 The neighbours
- First neighbour's name*
- First neighbour's address*
- Second neighbour's name*
- Second neighbour's address*
2 The tree or hedge
- This is about* a tree · a hedge · a row of trees
- Describe it*
- Trunk or roots stand* on the First Neighbour's land · on the Second Neighbour's land · on the boundary line
3 The work
- Work agreed now*
- Removal* not agreed — the tree or hedge stays · agreed — it will be removed as part of this work
- Replacement planting (optional)
- Tree surgeon or contractor (optional)
- Work to be done by
4 Cost
- Currency*
- Quoted cost (optional)
- First neighbour's share*
- Second neighbour's share*
5 Afterwards
- Trimming from now on* shared in the same shares, about once a year · each neighbour trims the side facing their own garden, at their own cost · done and paid for by the owner of the land it stands on
- Clearing up* the contractor removes all cuttings as part of the job · each neighbour clears what falls on their side · the First Neighbour clears all cuttings · the Second Neighbour clears all cuttings
- Governing law*
6 Who signs
- First neighbour signature and date · An owner of the first property. Add co-owners as extra signers in the editor.
- Second neighbour signature and date · An owner of the second property. Add co-owners as extra signers in the editor.
What the neighbour tree agreement covers
- The Tree
- Permissions first
- The work
- Cost
- Access
- Clearing up
- From now on
- Disagreements and general
Using the neighbour tree agreement, step by step
1 The neighbours and the tree
Your name fills in from your account. Add both addresses, choose tree, hedge or row of trees, describe it so a stranger could find it, and say which side its trunk stands on.
2 The work
Describe the work you've agreed, say whether removal is part of it, and add the contractor, any replanting and a completion date.
3 Cost and clearing up
Enter the quote and each neighbour's share, then choose who clears the cuttings and how future trimming works.
4 Sign together
Send it to your neighbour. You both sign online and the agreement is kept in your FileIt vault with your property papers.
Tips before you send it
- Check for a tree preservation order or conservation area before anyone cuts, as fines can be steep.
- Avoid cutting in the bird nesting season where local wildlife rules protect nests.
- Use an insured, qualified tree surgeon, and ask for the quote in writing.
- Take photos of both gardens before work starts in case of damage claims.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Neighbour tree agreement: frequently asked questions
Does this decide who owns the tree?
No. The neighbours record where they agree the trunk stands, but the agreement says it doesn't settle the legal boundary or ownership, and neither neighbour gives up any right by signing.
What if the tree falls and causes damage later?
The agreement doesn't change who is responsible in law. It does ask either neighbour who's worried about safety to say so promptly and get advice from an arborist.
Can I cut overhanging branches without asking?
Rules differ from place to place. This agreement is for when you'd rather agree it with your neighbour first and share the job and the cost.
Will it bind whoever buys my house?
A neighbour who sells tells the buyer about it. Whether it binds them depends on local law.
Is it free?
Yes. The template is free to use with FileIt eSignature, and your neighbour doesn't need an account to sign.