Can anyone please advise of the laws regarding
neighbors' trees. I am having a problem with my English neighbor who has very very tall oak trees dropping leaves and branches all over my garden. They overhang most of my lawn and drive, making it difficult to park cars where I would like to on my own property. He does not live on the property/gite but lives in the next village. I have repeatedly asked him to trim them and all I get is abuse or the telephone put down on me. I am going to visit the Marie but would like to know what laws are in place before my visit.
Any help/ideas would assist. Many thanks

You can cut down anything hanging over the boundary line, It is not stated as a law but a common right. If it is a hedge you would have to replace anything that was being used as visual protection. As all residents of France that own property are entitled to have a wall or visual protection around their property. Unless local law or planning deny's this right.

If there is fruit in the boundary line you are entitled to half of it.

But the short and curls are if branches are impeding any form of your access, Get the chainsaw out.

LINK HERE

Do talk to the Marie in advance, Try to talk to the Neighbour. If you cant get em on the phone approach if approachable.

Don't walk across the threshold unless invited. Don't bother arguing seek out the legal Advice of an Avocate as the correct letters may then prompt the neighbour to get a Tree Surgeon in.

And always be the first to make an official complaint with the Gendarmes, As the one who does it first has the higher legal ground.

If all else fails Duck.

I can't really offer any advice, just wanted to say sorry you're having such a rotten time with your neighbours. What is wrong with people?? I'd take advice from Ka Ora though, he's usually spot on! Bon courage.

Many thanks for your replies, armed with a bit more information a visit to the Marie is the next on the agenda. Wish me luck!!