In short
In the absence of local regulations or custom, a tree or hedge more than 2 metres high must be planted at least 2 metres from the boundary; a planting 2 metres or less high at least 0.5 metres away (code civil (Civil Code), art. 671). Height is measured from the ground to the top, distance from the centre of the trunk (service-public.gouv.fr, F614). The neighbour can demand that a planting that is too close be uprooted or cut down, unless there is a titre (written title), a destination du père de famille (an arrangement dating from when both plots had a single owner) or prescription trentenaire (thirty-year prescription) (art. 672). They can make you cut branches that overhang their land, but must not cut them themselves. They can, however, cut roots, brambles and twigs at the boundary, and this right never lapses (art. 673).
The legal distances in the Civil Code
Article 671 sets the rule: “Trees, shrubs and bushes may only be kept near the boundary of the neighbouring property at the distance prescribed by the specific regulations currently in force, or by constant and recognised custom” (our translation). Failing that, it sets a distance of two metres for plantings more than two metres high and half a metre for others.
| Height of the planting | Minimum distance from the boundary |
|---|---|
| More than 2 metres | 2 metres |
| 2 metres or less | 0.5 metres |
Source: Civil Code, art. 671; service-public.gouv.fr (F614).
How to measure. Height is calculated from the ground to the top, and distance from the centre of the trunk (F614). A planting located 2 metres or more from the boundary meets the legal distance whatever its height: article 671 requires only “the distance of two metres” (our translation) (F614). Conversely, a planting exactly 2 metres high does not exceed two metres: 0.5 metres is enough.
Knowing the exact boundary. If you do not know where the boundary between the two plots lies, service-public.gouv.fr suggests having a bornage (boundary marking) carried out (F614). See our guide bornage et troubles de voisinage (boundary marking and neighbour nuisance).
Local customs and specific regulations
The Civil Code distances only apply in the absence of specific regulations or constant and recognised customs (art. 671). These local rules may set other distances: service-public.gouv.fr refers you to the mairie (town hall) to find them out (F614). Check before planting, especially for a hedge intended to grow tall.
Against a dividing wall. Trees, shrubs and bushes may be planted as espaliers on either side of the dividing wall, with no minimum distance, provided they do not rise above the top of the wall (art. 671). If the wall is not mitoyen (jointly owned), only its owner may train espaliers against it (art. 671).
Planting too close: uprooting, cutting down and thirty-year prescription
The neighbour can demand that plantings located closer than the legal distance be uprooted or cut down to the legal height (art. 672). They cannot do so in three cases (art. 672; F614):
- a title: a written agreement allows you to keep the planting as it is;
- the destination du père de famille: the planting already existed before the land was divided into two properties;
- thirty-year prescription: the planting has exceeded the legal height for more than 30 years.
When the 30 years start. Prescription runs from the day the planting exceeded the permitted height given its distance from the boundary, not from the day it was planted (F614). A hedge planted 1 metre from the boundary therefore only starts to run towards prescription once it exceeds 2 metres in height.
Respecting the distance is not always enough. A compliant planting can cause a trouble anormal de voisinage (abnormal neighbour nuisance), for example through the shade it casts on the neighbouring land. Service-public.gouv.fr then recommends seeking a compromise: pruning, regular trimming, or even felling (F614).
Pruning, roots and fruit: who does what?
| Situation | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Branches overhanging the neighbour’s land | The neighbour can compel the tree’s owner to cut them, but cannot cut them themselves | Art. 673; F614 |
| Roots, brambles, twigs | The neighbour can cut them themselves, at the exact boundary of their property | Art. 673; F614 |
| Fruit that has fallen naturally onto the neighbour’s land | It belongs to the neighbour | Art. 673 |
| Fruit still on the branches | The neighbour has no right to pick it | F614 |
According to article 673, “The right to cut roots, brambles and twigs or to have the branches of trees, shrubs or bushes cut is not subject to prescription”. Thirty-year prescription therefore does not apply here: the neighbour can ask for pruning whatever the age of the tree.
Jointly owned planting. For a jointly owned hedge, each person trims their own side; service-public.gouv.fr advises trimming both sides at the same time. You may remove a jointly owned planting up to the boundary of your property, but only if you build a wall on that boundary. The fruit of a jointly owned planting belongs half to each, and picking is done at shared expense (F614).
What to do in a dispute
Service-public.gouv.fr describes the following steps (F614):
- Talk with the neighbour to find a compromise.
- Recorded-delivery letter with proof of receipt pointing out the nuisance and setting out the rules; a template is provided: “Demander à son voisin de couper ses arbres trop hauts et trop proches” (Asking your neighbour to cut trees that are too tall and too close).
- Compulsory attempt at an amicable settlement before going to court: conciliation (free), mediation or procédure participative (participatory procedure) with lawyers.
- The tribunal judiciaire (civil court) or tribunal de proximité (local court) for the place where the land is located, if this fails.
Action is brought against the owner of the land, even if it was their tenant who did the planting (F614). In a rented home with a garden, trimming and pruning trees and shrubs is part of the routine maintenance paid for by the tenant (service-public.gouv.fr, F31697; see réparations locatives (tenant repairs)).
FAQ
How far from the boundary can I plant a 1.80 m hedge?
At least 0.5 metres from the boundary, unless a local regulation or custom says otherwise (art. 671). If it later exceeds 2 metres, it will have to be 2 metres away or be cut back to 2 metres high.
Can my neighbour cut the branches of my tree themselves?
No. They can make you cut them, but not do it themselves; they can, however, cut roots and brambles at the boundary (art. 673; F614).
My tree is more than 30 years old: am I safe?
Not necessarily. The 30 years are counted from the day it exceeded the legal height (F614). And the obligation to cut overhanging branches never lapses (art. 673).
Do apples that fall into the neighbour’s garden belong to them?
Yes, if they fell naturally (art. 673). They cannot pick those still on the branches (F614).
Where can I find the applicable local customs?
From the mairie, according to service-public.gouv.fr (F614).
Which professional to consult
The géomètre-expert (chartered land surveyor) fixes the boundary by a bornage: it is from this boundary that the article 671 distances are measured. Before buying, the notaire (notary) can search the title deeds for an agreement allowing a planting that is too close, and the agent immobilier (estate agent) can point out trees on the boundary of the plot. See also our guide on servitudes (easements).
Find a professional
One professional per trade and per area, selected and scored out of 100 from public data, with a verifiable title. The trade, its official register and the professionals selected (pages in French):
The chartered surveyor (géomètre-expert) selected in the largest cities
| City | Professional | Area | Score /100 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | Actif Géo | Paris, 14e arrondissement | 77 | Selected |
| Marseille | ATGTSM | Marseille, 9e arrondissement | 73 | Selected |
| Lille | MA-GEO | Lille | 74 | Selected |
| Cannes | Pythagore Géomètres-Experts | Cannes | 70 | Selected |
| Nîmes | Relief GE | Nîmes | 72 | Selected |
| Perpignan | Geopole - Géomètres-Experts Associés | Perpignan | 72 | Selected |
| Nancy | Geodatis Selarl Geometres Experts | Nancy | 76 | Selected |
| Annecy | GEHOM | Annecy | 74 | Selected |
| Avignon | Géo-Experts | Avignon | 70 | Selected |
| Quimper | Cornouaille Ingénierie Topographie | Quimper | 70 | Selected |
The 10 cities with the most sales (DVF 2025) where a chartered surveyor (géomètre-expert) is selected; in a city with several areas, the best-scoring profile. "Verified": title read at the register by Payotte; "Selected": title declared, verifiable on the profile.
Related guides
Sources
- Plantation de végétaux (haies, arbres, bambous...) (service-public.gouv.fr, vérifié le 12 décembre 2025) (checked 12 October 2026)
- Code civil, article 671 – en vigueur depuis le 26 août 1881 (Légifrance) (checked 12 October 2026)
- Code civil, article 673 – en vigueur depuis le 15 février 1921 (Légifrance) (checked 12 October 2026)
- Code civil, articles 653 à 673 (mitoyenneté et plantations) (Légifrance) (checked 12 October 2026)
- Entretien courant et réparations locatives à la charge du locataire (service-public.gouv.fr, vérifié le 21 mai 2025) (checked 12 October 2026)
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