Property Damage from Diseased Tree
Along the back of my property, but not on my property, are a row of 8 Lombardy Poplar trees. In August of this year, I asked a tree expert to look at them as I felt they were dying and posed a serious threat to my home and property. The tree expert confirmed that had a type of rot and leaf blight and were very dangerous. I contacted the owner of the trees, who came and basicallly brushed me off, but offered to trim a few branches. Last week, before the Hurricane, I asked him again to at least trim the heavy branches, which wasn't done. Two of the trees came down in the hurricane, one bouncing off my roof and sliding down the side of the house, so a very close call. I've now asked that these trees be taked down. I understand the high cost to do so, so asked the tree removal experts for alternatives. The owner of the trees has an empty field behind me, and they could be notched and dropped for as little as $150 each, which I have even offered to pay for to avoid any future disaster. I don't know what my rights are.
I live in Chester County, PA. Since he knew the trees were diseased, is he responsible for clean up, too?
What are my options? I thought I did everything a good neighbor would do, and still I am the one in danger.
JB