Elmendorf says homeowners should know several key points about trees and the law. If a tree's trunk is entirely on a homeowner's property, the tree belongs to that homeowner. If the tree straddles the boundary between two properties, the tree is owned jointly by both landowners. Property owners have the absolute right to trim back a tree's branches and roots that reach over into their yard. The property owner only can prune up to the boundary line.
Homeowners are responsible for maintaining their property's trees.
That's why we have lawyers and courts. The key is to act as a reasonable person should act. No, unless the tree is an imminent hazard to people or property. If a neighbor or a person working for the neighbor removes a tree from the homeowners property, the neighbor may be found liable for replacing the value of the tree. The fruit of a tree belongs to the owner.