When fall hits Tennessee, leaves don’t stop at property lines. They drift, pile up, and sometimes spark debates between neighbors over who’s responsible for cleanup. The answer usually depends on local rules and the health of the tree itself.
Understanding how responsibility works can help keep both lawns—and neighborly relations—intact.
1. Property Owners Must Maintain Their Own Yards
Tennessee law follows a straightforward principle: you’re responsible for whatever lands on your property, regardless of where it comes from. Leaves falling from your neighbor’s tree onto your lawn become your responsibility once they hit the ground.
Courts have consistently ruled that natural leaf fall is considered part of normal property ownership. You can’t force your neighbor to rake your yard or pay for cleanup services just because their tree is the source.
2. Branches Crossing Property Lines Create Different Rules
While leaves are your problem, branches tell a different story. If your neighbor’s tree has limbs extending over your property line, Tennessee law gives you the right to trim them back at your own expense…