200 year old oak down.

[zing]

Originally Posted by zing

"I have had part of an oak fall from the neighbors property onto mine. The oak stradles the property line so I figure what fell on my property is mine."

This is a bit ambiguous, but I think you are saying that the tree was on his property and fell across the bounrdy between the two properties. You want what landed on your property. If that is the case, then I don't think it is your tree at all. The way I see it, if the tree fell from his property onto yours and damaged your fence, shed, house, or car, etc, he would be responsible for the damage. Even if there is no damage, he is responsible to clean up the debris and should clear it with you first before he or any workman go onto your property. With that the case, I think the wood is his if he wants it.

Having said that, I agree with the others who suggested that youu talk to him first, unless you already have a poor relationshiop with your neighbour. For all you know he may not want the wood and may give yo the whole tree. Or maybe he will just want the branches for firewood and will give the trunk to you because it is too large to chunk up and split anyway. WIth all of my neighbours the first thing we would have done was take a walk out to the tree and chew the fat while we consider what to do next.

Maybe in Canada, not in the US. When a tree falls and damages your property in the US unless it is a dead tree and or you have informed the owner of the tree it is a hazard the damage is yours to repair or fix or clean up.

Hmmm, I don't know, maybe I am wrong. I definitely can't speak for all of Canada. All I can say is that a coupe of years ago during a hurricane a large branch from a tree in my neighbour's yard damaged my fence. He came over and said that he knew it was his responsibility and asked of I had a preferred contractor or he could just use his own. We chatted for a bit and I said he could use whoever he wanted or if he wanted we could just fix it together some weekend. He was busy though, and he just hired someone to fix the fence. In hindsight, I guess I just took him at his word, and maybe it wasn't even his responsibility to fix the fence.

 

[forgeblast]

Look in craigs list there are people who advertise with portable band mills (saws). What you will need to tell them is the width of the tree if it is 200 years old it may not fit most band mills. A field edge tree like that might have metal in it, which is why the larger saw mills will not take them. If you cannot find anyone you may want to buy a chain saw mill and go to town. Just remember when you cut to sticker it (put pieces of wood between the planks) and buy some anchor seal to paint the ends to keep it from checking. Good Luck!

 

[Garandman]

Really? Where I'm from, we discuss with the neighbor to work something out. We don't worry about whose it is, we worry about who can use the wood or who has the tools to clean it up. Geez!

In Boston there are three big old trees right on our property line. Two are in rough shape and should probably come down before winter. We brought in an arborist to look at them and wanted to ask the neighbor for permission to look at her side.

"Trees produce oxygen."
"Yes, that's why we planted those other three. Can we look at the trees?"
"If we cut down all the trees, we won't have air to breathe."

It was at the point the arborist said "I'm outta here." As I understand it, if we put her on notice that the tree needs to come down and she declines to take action, any resultant action is her problem.

Thankfully our other neighbors are sane.....

 

[dodge man]

Word of warning, I see a vine on one of the trunks, I usually think poison ivy when I see that.

 

[MotorSeven]

After looking at the picture, I'm not sure if that would make a good lumber tree.,,,multi stalked trees seldom do. And you might end up with a lumber that wants to twist and cup. What kind of an Oak is that...I can't tell from the pic? Honestly I would cut it up for firewood and if you can find a trunk or three that is perfectly straight, cut them into 6' logs, and take them to a sawmill. They can be rolled onto a trailer or use your tractor. 5/4 or 4/4 and ask the miller for some stickers when you pick it up. Sticker and stack in a heated garage for a year before you think about using it for furniture.