Tree Modification on Golf Course property
 

My Wife and I purchased a home on the golf course with golf course and water views.
Unfortunately, there is a huge Magnolia tree that blocks a major portion. We are planning to build a pool and as much as I love trees and nature this tree needs to be addressed. I was planning on trimming or transplanting the tree but did not realize it was on the golf course property line. Has anyone encountered this type of scenario? And what results if any? Naysayers need not respond. I have seen all the jokes and negativity before on this site and it is disappointing. Loving the Villages Life in The Friendliest hometown in America. Sincerely appreciate your advice.

I would start by going to the pro at the golf course. He may not be able to make the decision to trim the tree but could influence the decision maker to be a good neighbor.

Even if the trunk of a tree is not on your property, you are allowed to trim tree branches that overhang your property in such a way that the trimming does not adversely impact the tree’s health.

Does an arborist have to be involved in the trimming?

If the tree is on golf course property as you say, you will need to contact the Developer’s Agent who is the legal Owner (I would start with golf course Management) because the tree is not on your property. It could be difficult because the Developer may not want to set a precedent.

I play golf and see such trees obviously blocking views from a house quite frequently here in TV. Twice we built and lived on golf courses (once in TV) but our views were never obscured by trees. Your situation is a bit different as the tree was already there when you purchased your house.

Tree Frog landscaping may be able to help (or guide) you in this situation. I agree with many of the previous comments, I would be very careful about ANY trimming of the tree. Once you have contacted the developer or their agent, you may offer alternatives, like 2 trees to replace one and planted to give you a view and work with the layout of the golf course. I would also makes plans for the possible situation where you are denied all access to the tree.

Not if it's just random branches that don't impact the tree's health, no. But it might be a good idea to contact an arborist to determine whether or not the branches you want to trim, would or wouldn't impact the tree's health.

That's what I'd do. Pay an arborist for his professional assessment and recommendations. If they allow just pruning and general trimming on branches that hang over your property, then proceed. If it involves anything more than that, then you'd need to get in touch with the property owner of the tree (if it's executive, then amenity authority. If it's country club, then The Villages developer).

If it was hanging over my property I’d just cut it off at property line.

Trees on over hanging
 

We live on the golf course and the golf course management have been to great to work with.They have allowed trimming.Our neighbors had a Magnolia Tree blocking their view of the golf course and the course management allowed them at their expense to remove the tree and have the stump ground up.Good luck

Magnolias are very messy, the last tree I'd ever plant.

Usually an improvement to take them out.

Care to share which golf course?

And what part of the golf course.

Trees shading putting greens are often not desirable (at least in the northeast trees shade grass on greens and roots get under greens)
So golf course management may be oaky with you taking down the tree - need to ask.

There are some trees that have been planted to prevent the hooks and slices from hitting the homes. If this is one of those trees I would be surprised if the golf gods will allow its removal.

Be careful
 

My neighbor had a large magnolia tree cut down since it was blocking views of the golf course. Shortly thereafter she was required to pay the golf course management for planting a new large magnolia tree in the same location. You should check with golf course management before even trimming the tree.

Have had similar situation. Villages golf management will tell you can trim anything that overhangs your property. That's it. Trust me, they will not remove the tree just because it blocks your view.

I have a neighbor who got permission to trim some palms on the golf course because she was told they do not trim palms. They also do not trim magnolias and I was told they are meant to grow to the ground and not be trimmed up like a tree. They have trimmed some oaks because they were interfering with the sprinklers watering the grass. As others have said best to ask the course maintenance people and they will take a look at it.

That’s the one tree that many people love around TV.

I assume the tree was there when you purchased the property, so you knew it was blocking your golf course view?

My first home in The Villages was on the 14th fairway of Tierra del Sol. I had a lovely view of the course and the row of trees beyond. I could sit in the living room looking out and see no other houses. I also had a pool. I also had live oaks and pines growing on the course maybe twenty feet from my property line.

I soon figured out that the rear of my house faced due west. Golfers frequently hit balls into the tree canopy or hit the trunks. If not for the trees, some of those balls would have hit my birdcage. My pool was in full sun much of the day, but by about three in the summer the trees shaded my birdcage and pool from the sun, and by four they shaded the French doors onto the pool area. I spent a summer once at the home of an aunt and uncle who had a two story home with a wall of glass on the bank of the Chesapeake opposite Annapolis, facing due west. The home was virtually unlivable until they spent tens of thousands on shades to block the sun every sunny afternoon of the year. Here in The Villages, had it not been for the shade trees on the golf course, it would have been miserable to be in the pool in the later afternoons or to have friends over then. Okay, so some of the view was blocked, but it was worth it, by far. The tree trunks also partially blocked the view and noise of golf carts passing.

I’d say ask yourselves if that tree might not be a very good thing.

Especially when your neighbor has one and all the dead, leathery, hard to rake leaves seem to blow into your yard ;-)

Nor should they. Like anything here in TV, buyer beware. We recently picked a lot to build on. We were careful to see exactly what was the view & obstructions of any lot we were interested in. Passed on several because of this scenario.

Oh the horror! I smell a lawsuit!

The tree blocking your view might also be sheltering you from errant golf balls

He didn’t say anything about uprooting a tree for a better view 😳 He wants to add a pool, the tree branches are obviously hanging on his property.

One of the reasons there are large trees on the course boundary is to protect homes from errant golf balls. This may be a consideration in your search for the right answer to your dilemma.

I mean… it was there when you bought it. 🤷🏽*♂️

I seem to remember some homeowner got in big trouble 5+ years ago for cutting down trees that blocked their view of a pond (or lake). I don’t remember the final outcome, but I think there was talk of requiring them to replant the trees.

Tree on course
 

We had a situation back home where we wanted to add a pool a few years after our home was built. We lived on the 9th fairway of our Country Club. We actually needed permission to come through the fairway with equipment etc. We contacted the greens keeper and the board and they graciously allowed us to do so. The beauty of what we accomplished actually is a benefit to the club/course as well as your property. Good luck.

Tree’s on neighbors property
 

You can trim trees that trunks are on your neighbors properties that branches hang on your property. That said you would need to consult an aborist as to insure you don’t damage tree and get permission to enter neighbors property if needed . It also would be best practice to inform neighbor of your intentions to avoid a misunderstanding and prevent litigation for their interpretation of tree trespass .

Yes

Trees on golf course
 

Tierra Del Sol

Tree trespass laws
 

It would be best to inform owner of tree before doing any trimming and if trimming requires tree trespassing. You want to avoid litigation. The owner might consider having their maintenance people handle it and possibly bill the homeowner . That way if tree is damaged and dies the homeowner would not be responsible.

Firt things first
 

Determine if or if not the tree is on your property. Or if it splits the line? Everything is subjective speculation until you know. If its very close to the line, then your construction could easily damage the roots and eventually kill the tree. If its on your property, then of course you can do what you want. The actual location will determine your course of action. Good luck!

Oh yes he did

The tree blocks a major portion of his golf and water views.

WARNING do not touch, trim or cut the tree in any way. It will be a very expensive lesson. You can request a visit from the course but don't expect any relief in viewing. I know of a person who trimmed a magnolia and the course put in a larger tree.

You are spot on.

The tree was there before you purchased the home, should have realized that! Trees grow and that’s why The Villages planted. The view was set up for the Golf Course also! Not going to the right authorities could cost you fines and expenses to The Villages Golf Course property. The Championship Courses are owned by the Morse Family and is Private Property!

I also have The Villages Palm trees and Oaks and Magnolia’s behind my home, but they were there when I bought ( new home ) .

Talk to the course manager before doing anything.

FE962/FE962: Handbook of Florida Fence and Property Law: Trees and Landowner Responsibility pretty much covers it.

In general, you may cut the limbs and roots at or inside your property line at your expense. I would have a survey done before doing that if you are going to cut it close.

A surprising result was a case that prevailed when the owner cut down a tree and the owner of the adjoining property was compensated for the impact, loss of shade!

If you do it, it may look unsightly.

(This is not legal advice. IANAL)

If you want it done right It would bolster his case if he mentions his intention to hire a professional arborist