What to do if a storm blows a neighbor's tree onto your property
If a storm-damaged tree endangers people or property, it may be cut without municipal permission, but the situation should be documented and reported. Ogre municipality explains how to proceed when the fallen tree belongs to someone else.
After strong winds or storms, trees often break or fall onto people's properties, creating a risk to health, belongings or infrastructure. The Ogre municipality has issued guidance on how to respond correctly, particularly when the dangerous tree belongs to a neighbor or another person.
When cutting is allowed without permission
If a tree growing outside a forest becomes dangerous to human life or health, property, or infrastructure after a storm, it may be cut or sawn up without prior municipal permission. Before starting work, however, it is advisable to photograph the situation and notify the municipality. If this cannot be done immediately, it can be done afterward — once the danger has been removed or the tree has already been cut.
If the tree belongs to someone else
If a tree belonging to a neighbor or another person has fallen onto your property, the priority is to eliminate the danger — for example, by cutting the tree only as much as needed to clear access to the property or a road. Importantly, once the danger has been removed, the sawn tree or its parts should not be kept or used, but left in place, with the owner contacted to agree on further action. The mere fact that a tree fell onto your land during a storm does not make its wood your property.
Specially protected trees
A different procedure applies to nationally protected trees, trees in protected dendrological plantings and protected alley areas, as well as trees of specially protected plant species or trees registered as habitats of specially protected species. Cutting such trees requires permission from the Nature Conservation Agency.
The Ogre municipality urges residents to prioritize people's safety first and document the situation. If the tree belongs to another person, further action regarding the wood should be agreed with the owner; if the tree grew on land owned by the municipality, residents should contact the municipality directly.
