If your tree is hanging over the neighbour's side, the quickest fix, and the one least likely to cause bad feeling, is to have a gardener cut it back. Going onto the neighbour's land to do it yourself is awkward, especially if you don't speak much Japanese.
Most of the calls we get about this come from the owner of the tree, not the neighbour. On the day of the work, one of our crew rings next door's intercom to say hello, and clears up any branches that land on their side. The cost is basically the pruning fee for that tree.
We are Daruma Ueki, based in Ota, Tokyo, working anywhere in Tokyo. English enquiries are welcome by email or LINE.
In this article
If it's your tree, act first
Houses in Tokyo are often built very close together, sometimes with only a narrow gap or a low block wall on the property line. A tree that looked fine five years ago can easily be over the wall now. Don't wait for the neighbour to bring it up. When the owner moves first, things rarely get complicated. Find the row that matches:
| Your situation | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Branches from your tree are over the neighbour's side | Ask a gardener. On the day, our crew speaks to the neighbour |
| The neighbour has asked you to cut them | About two weeks is the usual guideline. Contact a gardener soon |
| It can't be cleared without going into their garden | Our crew rings the intercom, asks, and clears up |
| The neighbour's tree is coming over to your side | Tell the owner first (see below) |
How we handle it
We speak to the neighbour and clear up on the day, so you don't have to.
- Tell us which tree it is and which side it's growing over.
- We come and look within a week and give you a free estimate. In Japan, a gardener usually sees the site in person before quoting a price.
- On the day, one of our crew rings the neighbour's intercom and lets them know we're working. If cut branches fall into their back garden, we ask to go in, clear them up quickly and leave.
- You check the result, then pay.
DarumaDo you get a lot of requests about branches going over next door?
TatsuroLots. Most of them come from the side the branches are growing from.
DarumaWhat happens if cut branches fall into the neighbour's garden?
TatsuroWhen it's time to clean up, one of the crew rings their bell and says hello. They let us into the back garden or wherever it is, we tidy up and we're off.
Speaking to the neighbour and picking up what falls on their side is part of our job on the day. You don't need to go round apologising door to door. Contact a gardener first.
Cost: pruning from ¥3,300 per tree
The cost is basically the pruning fee for the tree that's hanging over. Shaping the whole tree, rather than lopping off the branches on one side, means it is slower to grow back over. Guide prices for the work itself, tax included:
| Work | Guide price (tax incl.) |
|---|---|
| Tree pruning, under 3 m | From ¥3,300 / tree |
| Tree pruning, 3 m to under 5 m | From ¥7,700 / tree |
| Hedge, 5 m | From ¥15,400 |
| Tree felling, under 3 m | From ¥5,500 / tree |
Disposal of the branches is charged separately. Our other prices are on the price list.
Leave it, and the neighbour may cut it themselves
Japan's Civil Code changed on 1 April 2023 (Article 233, paragraph 3). A neighbour whose land the branches reach can now cut those branches themselves when any of the following applies:
- They asked the owner to cut the branches, and the owner hasn't done so within a reasonable period
- The owner of the tree can't be identified, or nobody knows where they are
- There's an urgent reason it has to be cut
About two weeks is given as the guideline for a "reasonable period" (guidance from Fussa City, Tokyo). In other words, if you wait, the neighbour could have another company cut it. Sorting it out yourself before that point keeps things friendly next door.
This also matters if you own a house in Tokyo but live abroad. The second case covers owners who can't be reached, so make sure someone local can be contacted about the property. For empty houses, see garden care for an empty house in Tokyo.
(This article is not legal advice. If there is a dispute, use a free legal consultation service, such as the ones many local city and ward offices run.)
If it's the neighbour's tree coming over to you
Tell the owner of the tree first. The smoothest way is for the two of you to talk, and for the owner to ask a gardener. In Japan, a short, polite word at the door or over the intercom is the normal way to start. A photo of the branches makes it easier to explain.
If you told the owner and nothing happened for about two weeks, or you can't find out who owns it, and the conditions above apply, we can take the request from you. We only cut the branches coming over to your side. Tell us what's going on first.
DarumaMy neighbour's tree is coming over onto my side. Will you cut it?
TatsuroIf the conditions are met, yes. The law has conditions too, you can't just cut it freely. Roots you can cut, though. But the best thing is for the neighbours to talk it over.
Even if you are the one affected, the first step is a word with the owner. If that doesn't get things moving, send us a photo and tell us what has happened so far. Roots growing under the boundary are treated differently from branches, so mention those separately.
Common questions
Q. Can my neighbour cut branches from my tree?
A. Since 1 April 2023, Article 233 of Japan's Civil Code lets them in some cases: if they asked you and you didn't cut the branches within a reasonable period (about two weeks is the guideline Fussa City gives), if the owner can't be found, or if it's urgent. This is general information, not legal advice.
Q. What does it cost to cut back branches over the boundary?
A. It is basically the pruning fee for the tree, from ¥3,300 per tree under 3 m (tax included). Disposal of the branches is charged separately.
Q. Do I have to explain it to my neighbour myself?
A. No. On the day, one of our crew rings the neighbour's intercom and lets them know. If branches fall into their garden, we ask to go in, clear them up and leave.
Send a photo of the branches
Which tree, and which way is it growing? One photo is enough to start. The estimate is free, and we come out anywhere in Tokyo.
English is fine by email or LINE. An additional fee may apply if English-speaking staff need to be arranged for a visit. This does not mean every English email or LINE enquiry carries an extra charge.