Tree Owner Liability for Neighbor Damage

A property owner appealed a lower court ruling that found them liable for damages caused to neighboring property by falling trees, asserting that the neighbors failed to maintain their own property to prevent the encroachment and subsequent damage. The highest court rejected the appeal, reasoning that the property owner had an affirmative duty to ensure the safety and stability of trees on their land, and failing to address a known hazard leading to damage to adjacent property constitutes a breach of that duty, regardless of the neighbor's land management.