City Can Remove Hazardous Trees

In last week's issue of the Corner Forum, Dorothy Bess (1336 E St. NE) asked whether there are rules about large trees on neighboring properties.

A search for the word "trees" in the D.C. Code (posted online at http://dccode.westgroup.com/home/dccodes/default.wl), reveals two sections of District law (D.C. Code 6-804 and 8-651.06) that allow the city to levy fines for or remove trees on private property that are dangerous or hazardous to persons or property on public space (sidewalks, for example).

Also, a D.C. municipal regulation (CDCR 24-2001.3) (these can be looked up, though there is no free search option, at http://os.dc.gov/services/municipal_regs.shtm) says: "No person, without a permit from the District, shall permit any bush, shrub, or tree to extend from private property onto public space in any manner that interferes with the free use of the public space."

According to http://www.nolo.com — a publisher of legal information for nonlawyers — (search for "trees" on the site), residents in the United States generally have the legal right to trim tree branches hanging onto their property, up to the property line. §