18/06/2026
Something simple that we don’t think of
Trees are loved until they crack your wall, block your light, or end up in your neighbour's gutters.
At Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx, we're seeing tree-related property disputes rise sharply as urban areas densify and older suburbs mature.
What starts as a neighbourly irritation can quickly become a serious legal and financial liability, especially after severe storms or when protected indigenous species are involved.
Whether you're a homeowner, a body corporate trustee, or a developer managing common property, understanding where that line falls is no longer optional.
We break down what South African law says about storm-damage liability, body corporate obligations, the strict limits on self-help trimming, municipal street trees, and the criminal consequences of touching a protected indigenous tree without authorisation.
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