the planting distances to be respected

The distances between the plantations

A first criterion that will have to be taken into account when planting is the distance between each plant. When we talk about the spacing to be respected between each plant, the information is given from the center of the first to the center of the next.

The planting distance varies according to different criteria:

• The desired result: indeed, if you want to obtain a plant screen, it is necessary to plant tightly, for a privacy hedge, for example. On the other hand, if you are looking to highlight an architecture, space the plantations so that they come to emphasize it.
• The size of the plants: when setting up several plants, their size in adulthood should be taken into account. And for good reason, some shrubs or trees have a slender port and do not require a large space, while for those whose port is spread out, greater spacing is necessary.
• The interview : if you want to obtain a very detailed result, you will prune at a regular frequency, which means that you will limit the development of each plant and that the spacing between each can be less important. On the other hand, if you prefer to leave a more free growth, the space necessary between each plant can be more important to leave each one more room to flourish, without excess however.
• The budget : the spacing of your plants will inevitably have an impact on it, since logically, a denser plantation, therefore with more plants, will have a higher cost.

Whatever spacing you choose, you shouldn’t go overboard either:

• If you plant too tightly, the plants will clash with each other, compete for light and soil nutrients.
• If you plant too far apart, the visual effect may not be what you expect and the whole may look poor.

In a general way :

• when planting trees and shrubs, you must ensure that you keep enough space between the plants to let them flourish without lacking in brightness. So, for shrubs up to 3 m high, you should leave 1.50 m between each one, which is half their wingspan.
• for the creation ofa hedge on a line, it is advisable to leave 60 cm between each plant.
• For a two-line hedge, staggered, it is advisable to leave 90 cm between each plant and 50 cm between the rows.

The distances to be respected, the law

1. By law, trees and shrubs that are more than 2 meters tall in adulthood must be installed at least 2 meters from the property line.
2. For shrubs and hedges not exceeding 2m in height, they should be planted at least 0.50m from the property line.
3. However, these rules do not apply to climbing plants. In the case of a party wall, everyone has the right to lean against a climbing plant or an espalier tree, but it must not protrude beyond the wall. If the wall is private, then only the owner has the right to plant against the wall.

Amendments to the law

These rules stipulated in the Civil Code can be modified in certain situations. This may be the case if you live in co-ownership or if your municipality has put in place a municipal decree. These latter rules then prevail. This is why, it is preferable to inform yourself, in advance, about the existence of municipal or prefectural decrees on the subject by going to your town hall, prefecture or town planning department. For condominiums, it is necessary to check with the property manager.

Why is respecting these distances important?

The different planting distances were not decided arbitrarily, but for very specific reasons. Indeed, they appeal to respect for the property of others and correspond to a safe distance whose objective is to prevent damage to houses or fences.

• We must not forget that in the case of a tree, there is the visible part, but also all the underground part: the roots can thus develop over several meters. At depth, they can damage pipes and if they rise to the surface, they can damage nearby installations.
• In addition, if a tree or shrub is planted too close to the neighboring property, the branches may, as they grow, encroach on the neighbour’s property and cause physical or material damage in the event of a fall.
• Likewise, they can also deprive nearby houses of light and be a source of conflict.

Maintenance of neighboring plantations

As a general rule, it is the owner or the tenant who occupies the accommodation who is responsible for the various plantings on the property. Thereby :

• On the land concerned, cutting and maintenance trees return to the occupant.
• The hedge of the house next to yours must be maintained by your neighbors. This obligation is important, because in the event of damage, whether physical or material, the responsibility of the owners of the hedge will be engaged.
• In the case of a tree on your neighbor’s property, you have the option of giving him notice to prune or cut it down if it is a source of nuisance or constitutes a risk. The felling obligation is not applicable if the tree is over 30 years old.

In all cases, it is preferable, as a first step, to seek an amicable solution. Opening the dialogue can help resolve the problem. However, if this is not the case, you can send a letter of formal notice by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt. This should explain your request precisely. Following this letter, two scenarios are possible:

• either the owner of the trees responds positively to you within 8 days, he will then have to resolve the problem quickly,
• either he does not respond or not favorably, you can then enter the district court. It is he who will order or not the pruning or felling of so-called dangerous trees.

In the case of’a dividing hedge, it is only half yours. You will therefore need the consent of your neighbor to proceed with its size. It is best to do this in writing to avoid any misunderstanding.

If the roots of your neighbor’s trees come onto your property, then you have the right to cut them yourself, even if they have respected the regulatory distances. However, it is recommended to warn your neighbor before taking action. On the other hand, if branches protrude on your property, you do not have the right to cut them yourself. You must first obtain his agreement or you can demand that he cut them at the level of the dividing limit. Obviously, the opposite can happen with your plants that annoy your neighbor. You are then exposed to the same rules.