Living in the Sunshine State often means enjoying lush landscapes, vibrant greenery, and, inevitably, trees. While beautiful, those towering oaks, swaying palms, and sprawling banyans can sometimes lead to tension when their branches decide to extend a little too far over the property line. If you're dealing with a neighbor's tree branches encroaching on your Florida property, you're not alone. This is a surprisingly common source of neighbor disputes, and understanding your rights and options under Florida law is crucial. Understanding Florida's "Self-Help" Rule for Overhanging Branches Florida law provides a foundational principle often referred to as the "self-help" rule or the "Florida Rule of Lateral Intrusion." This rule dictates that a property owner has the right to trim back branches and roots from a neighbor's tree that encroach upon their property. However, this right comes with critical limitations: ...