This is where you put your real estate agent to work. You tell the real estate agent you are interested in the house, but only if the neighbor removes the tree. Let the buyer's and seller's agent go inform the neighbor, and put the pressure on that way. If the neighbor is unwilling to do that, even with 2 real estate agents and the sellers pressuring them, then no, you don't want that house. Not only would you have a monstrous problem with the tree, but you also have an unreasonable neighbor. I wouldn't want that, and I bet you wouldn't either.

call the power company....

Find a house with no trees around it.

Most power companies will remove or at least cut back trees at risk of taking down powerlines. Start there.

I'm sure the neighbour will be thrilled at the request to cut down a perfectly healthy tree. It's not under the wires, they're not going to just chop it down. I hope not anyway.

Agree - just let the power co. or the town take a look. Other than that: you might come to appreciate a tree - an evergreen, no less! - that so nicely screens the view of your neighbor/their home/their cars/etc. (Year round screening and no leaves to rake!) Especially if they think you were unreasonable to ask that their tree be cut down (not saying it is an unreasonable request; just saying they might not like the request and hold it against you). Oh - and if your driveway is right next to that tree, figure out if its the type of tree that drops alot of sap. Our 2-houses-away neighbor has such an evergreen, and it means that their next door neighbor (whose driveway is right next to this GIANT evergreen that constantly drops sap) can't park in their driveway (they have to keep the garage cleared out and park in it). Oh and its ruined the roof of their garage.

POCO has a schedule to go around and trim trees around lines. Otherwise, as others have said they can be called.

Funny, never occurred to me to worry about the trees. It's dark now, or I would take some pictures of my surroundings. There is no avoiding big trees here, and I guess I have other things to worry about, but if it's going to bother you don't get this house. There is nothing you can do about the neighbor's property, and it's something that will drive you crazy every day.

That's a valuable tree from a landscaping point of view. Without that tree, this house could be very ordinary.

I don't consider it a problem at all. It looks perfectly healthy to me. And attractive, too.

You have a valid concern. Besides the hazard of the tree's proximity to the power lines and possibly falling into your home, that tree could become a financial nightmare. Large pines and spruces are some of the largest trees in America depending upon the type and growing conditions, and it looks like that tree is already much taller than the telephone pole. We're talking about a tree that can grow to hundreds of feet high and dozens of feet wide--to say nothing about its root system.

Large trees for the most part belong in forests NOT on residential property.

Anyone that plants a pine or spruce close to their house is creating a big problem that in time will be very costly.

Years ago, one of my neighbors planted a pine, which grew very fast. Within 7 years, it was as tall as the house. First it was the needles and cones on the roof, clogged gutters, roof stains, mold, and finally the tree grew right into the sewer and damaged the foundation of the house. Needless to say, the damage was costly.

I would have a talk with the neighbor. Tell them about this experience, that they are just prolonging a situation from getting worse, because it's not going to get better. A nice pine or spruce next to a house might look picturesque, but there will be a price to pay eventually.

That tree would not dissuade me from a house that I loved in a location that I wanted. You really have to decide if your fear of the tree falling (which likely will not happen) outweighs the advantages of the property for you.

I have a very large silver maple on one property line, another and a locust on the other -- all around 30 feet from the house. Even when Hurricane Ike came through, they didn't fall. In my 25 years here, no damage. This neighborhood is 70 years old and there are many very large trees which create much beauty and add to the market value of our homes; yes, mishaps like lightening strikes and breaking limbs do happen. That is what insurance is for!

Asking the agents and seller to pressure the neighbor to take the tree down is going too far IMO; if he didn't want to, that certainly would not indicate an unreasonable neighbor, but an unreasonable request from possible (only possible) buyer.

Edited to add: If the roots are damaging pipes, drains or foundation that is another matter. Any leaves from nearby trees will fill gutters, clearing the gutters is part of home maintenance, if maintenance isn't done then you get the problems. If you don't like pine needles in the yard, don't buy the house.

No worries. The power company will take care of any limbs that might threaten the power line. Your neighbor's homeowners insurance will take care of damage should the tree come down on your property. In your state, you may be legally required to notify your new neighbor that the tree is a hazard in writing. Consult an attorney about this question. The tree really isn't that big off a deal. Pretty tree. Well cared for, properly placed trees add value to properties.

It's pine and pine easily breaks in high winds or other bad weather conditions so its sheer size is a consideration! Here's a brief article I found on the subject.
http://www.npr.org/2012/07/05/156325901/when-does-a-tree-go-from-decorative-to-dangerous

Homechef are you sure? I spoke with my arborist and he said if there's a storm and my tree causes damage at the neighbors, their insurance pays for damage on their property.

A pine tree on a neighboring property would not give me the slightest hesitation if I was interested in a house. It "could" fall on your house, but it could fall a lot of other ways as well, if it ever falls. More likely it will die someday and a tree service will take it out.

Yes, and in fact I did buy a house with that exact same tree. Well same species I mean. Thats great that its your neighbors' tree - it means they would be the ones having to deal with power line issues - if any. You really do not need to worry about that at all - util cos generally monitor their power lines pretty well. Im not sure but they may even take the intiative and do the cutting themselves if necessary if any tree is encroaching.

Mature trees are generally considered a strong asset in a neighborhood and this is sometimes reflected in property values. Its far enough away to not block your views or create problems with branches touching your house.

If the worst should happen (it won't) and the tree falls down the tip of it might brush your house, Or you know... it might decide to fall the other direction instead.

If a tornado comes then that in itself could be enough to damage your house, while that tree ends up in the next county. WHOOOO KNOWS. Yes weird stuff does happen but why worry about it.

Go for it!

Tell the neighbors to remove their tree - seriously? Wow. In what universe do people do that? You are aware that would cost 1 or 2 thousand dollars, correct?

This is called looking for a problem where none exists. I live in the Pacific Northwest where having multiple trees on your lot that are that size and larger is common. At a house I lived in here for over 30 years I had approximately a dozen trees taller than that, some within 15 feet of the house. I did have one removed when it started to show significant signs of ailing, but I never had a problem with any of them falling, interfering with power, or doing horrible root damage to anything. I also had a 90' long hedge of 40' tall hemlocks that grew right along the power lines on the street, and the power company would occasionally trim out a few branches. Some of the trees at that house are probably 80-100 years old by now and still growing. I can't recall a single instance of any of my neighbors having problems either. You should focus on whether the house meets your needs...not on the minuscule chance that the tree poses a major threat. However, if you can't be convinced, you should look elsewhere as I doubt your neighbor will be real receptive to cutting down that beautiful tree.

To me, that's not a problem. A problem is a failing roof or a crumbling
foundation. I've lived in fully-treed lots and have lived in a
wind-swept barren lot. Yes, trees can drop limbs - but I'd still pick a
lot with nice trees over a wind-swept moonscape. If it bother you that
much I'd move on. I personally don't find it reasonable to ask the
neighbors to cut it down, and you run the risk of alienating people you
may be living right next to before you even take possession of the home.

Why is the picture from 3 years ago? Is it one of the real estate listing pictures? Why not current? Has the house been on the market for that long? If so, why hasn't the realtor gotten new pictures?

In my opinion, that tree is a bonus. But, given your concerns, I think that you should pass on this house and look elsewhere. The house is very cute, but let's face it - it's a Cape and Capes are pretty easy to come by.

Good luck.

(ETA: If a potential neighbor approached me and asked me if I were willing to cut down a tree on my property because they were worried that, at some point in time, it may fall on their house, I'd say no and then be wishin' and hopin' that you didn't buy the house. I'd be concerned about what type of neighbors you'd be). Just my opinion.

If you look at the trees across the road, they look even bigger than the pine. It might be just the angle of the photo - but still...are you going to ask those neighbors to cut down those trees too?

Nope, wouldn't deter me from buying a house I liked. It isn't a problem to me. Tree lined streets are a plus in my book. The power company will take care of any limbs that will encroach on the lines. You don't know that the tree will fall on the house, that is a "what if" scenario. I also would not ask the neighbors to cut it down. Not a very good first meeting if you do decide to purchase the house.

Pine trees have very deep roots and dense share. We have many in this neighborhood that are much taller than the one in the photo, in 20 plus years living here, we have never seen one fell even when a lot other gigantic trees were topped by storms.

I don't understand why get realtors involved, they are not selling neighbor's house, it is not part of their job description.

Would you send realtor asking the neighbor to change their paint color if it bothers you? Ask the neighbor directly if you feel so strong about the tree.

This problem is solved. We're buying the house. The owner assured me that she has never had a problem with the tree, and that the neighbor actually helps her clean up the pine needles. Thanks to all of those who offered sincere replies.

That's great! I'm glad you had a reassuring outcome. It would be unfortunate to pass on such a cute house because of the tree, but that was a decision only you could make. And it sounds like you've already met one nice neighbor :-)

Another reason to love the tree - pine needles make great mulch or additions to compost. It will look beautiful in winter after a snow fall. Enjoy your new house!

Congratulations! It's a lovely house and a nice tree, too ;)

"The tree is growing into the electrical lines, which is a hazard. I'm
also afraid that a storm could bring that tree into our home. We would
not be able to cut it down as it's on the neighbor's property, and I
have no idea if they would be willing to cut it down."

If it's growing into the power lines, you call the POWER COMPANY and report a hazard. They will take care of it.

And if it's on a neighbor's property, you call your insurance company (if you have USAA) and let them know there is a hazard and ask your company to talk to the neighbor's insurance company. If it's been reported as a hazard, the neighbor's company is on notice that your company isn't going to be in a good mood when the tree lands on your house.

We reported a neighbor's HUGE and swaying in windstorms trees and they were gone in a month - their insurance company and ours paid most of the cost because it was mitigating a hazard. We paid nothing, although we did let the removal company use out backyard for the crane. And lift the tree parts out, over our house, to get dismembered in out driveway.

Kinda scary but the crane guy was good.

In my experience, most insurance companies would not get this proactively involved. Most swaying trees are healthy. The most likely response is the one you described where you are told to document the hazard in case something ever happens. However, for this to be truly effective, you would need to pay a professional, an arborist, to do an assessment and provide a written opinion or report.

I came back to add how good pine needles are for mulch. I'm glad that you decided to not worry and buy a house that you love!

Trees are supposed to sway in strong winds. Healthy trees are quite flexible. Generally you can see signs of deterioration in a tree LONG before limbs break off and fyi that's whats likely to happen long before the entire tree splits and comes crashing down. Except of course if its an F5 tornado and then its just as likely to be your neighbor's car that comes through your roof as anything. Or the wind alone can rip off a roof.

This has certainly been an illuminating thread. Sure hoped a reputable arborist evaluated Lazy's neighbor's trees (meaning someone who gives an honest assessment and doesn't just go along with the cut it down mentality because they want the business.)

The tree is not under the power lines. Its beautiful tree. It's also kind of mischevious to report the tree to the power company without first informing the owners. Otherwise they may never know it was you who got the tree taken down which is kinda unethical in my opinion.....

I have not seen any credible post that suggested the Power Company take down the tree... judicial pruning, if required, may be required.

No need to discuss with owner, however no harm if done.

It is either a hazard or it is not. Let Power Company's decide.

No matter the situation, I think the owner should be notified first.

That would certainly be a neighborly thing to do.

If everything else about the property were perfect, I wouldn't worry about the tree at all, just make sure I had appropriate insurance just in case!

Most power companies have street crews that proactively look for issues with trees and prune as necessary. As I mentioned above, one of my houses had a 40' tall hemlock hedge right along the street. The original owner had planted it in the 1950's, and it was growing into the power lines by the time I bought the place. The hedge was so dense that it pretty much hid the power lines. Occasionally the power company took out a branch or two, but I'm in the Pacific NW where we tend to value treescapes and don't unnecessarily butcher or remove trees...or fear them. The last time I looked, that 60 year old hedge was still there, peacefully coexisting with the lines.

If it were me, I'd not start my arrival in a new neighborhood by possibly provoking a kerfuffle over a tree like that. And it sounds like the OP has been reassured that the tree is a non-issue anyway.

I wouldn't buy a home with power lines around it. The tree can be removed, but the power lines will never be. That's the real issue. Future buyers will be turned off by the power lines.

Most homes in older neighborhoods have power lines like that, I wouldn't ever have that as a consideration. But then again, I also wouldn't live in a new subdivision where they probably have buried the lines. I prefer older established neighborhoods and houses.

I prefer to not limit myself to the minority of homes that are available with no power poles. It's nice when the lines are buried, but that's about the last thing I would worry about when buying a home, and it certainly wouldn't be any kind of deciding factor, at least for me.

Power lines are definitely a big consideration when it comes to resale. I wouldn't buy a house that had power lines around it. They are very unsightly and some buyers will not even consider looking at a home that is near them.

SaltiDawg-

I can understand not being happy to have multiple lines from high voltage towers running nearby. But standard residential supply lines?...meh.

We're not buying this house after all. We changed our minds at the very last minute. We love this house but decided that it's just too small. We've opted on a 1969 ranch instead, which we're under contract for.

I hope a low shrub does not fall on your ranch's roof... you'd get advice here against buying a home with rose bushes. lol