I would be shocked if there is not an easement on the land for the road/driveway. This is something you can check in the Deeds office at the county for nothing. Also make danged sure you know the locations of the lot lines. The county could have parcel maps and it might be online. The information might not absolutely indicate the lots lines but it will be close.
Also verify if there is an HOA in place.
This is a situation that can get ugly and expensive very quickly. It can also trigger events that last YEARS. Be very careful on how you handle this issue. Make sure you have all of the facts before acting.
This is a link to a TBN conversation about easements that took almost a decade to resolve, and in the end, the TBNer lost the case, and if I remember right, over hundred thousand dollars,
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/14251-help-i-need-legal-advice.html
My take on the previous links was that the TBNer was in the right, but in the end, it cost him quite a bit of money and almost a decade of his life dealing with the situation.
In NC, cutting/damaging someone else's trees is a criminal violation and can trigger hefty penalties. You might want to look at your state and local laws. Flip side is that most trees have very little money value, especially compared to the cost of legal fees and mental stress.
If I had all of my ducks in a row about any easement, road work, lots lines, etc, I would let the Sheriff handle the situation.
Later,
Dan
