Text of the provision
Art. 483. Whenever a large tree threatens to fall in such a way as to cause damage to the land or tenement of another or to travelers over a public or private road, the owner of the tree shall be obliged to fell and remove it; and should he not do so, it shall be done at his expense by order of the administrative authorities.
(390a)
Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, approved June 18, 1949, effective August 30, 1950. Reproduced in full; verified verbatim against the LawPhil and ChanRobles renderings and the Official Gazette, all three of which agree word for word.
What this article means
Closes the Title II chapter grouping quieting of title with dangerous constructions. When a large tree on one's land threatens to fall in a way that would damage a neighboring property or endanger travelers on a public or private road, the owner is obliged to have it felled and removed. If the owner fails to act, the administrative authorities may have the work done at the owner's expense. It is a narrower, self-help-adjacent cousin of the nuisance rules that immediately follow in the next Title, aimed specifically at a foreseeable, physical hazard from vegetation rather than an ongoing use of property.
Related provisions
- Article 482 — Dangerous Constructions.
- Article 484 — What Is Co-ownership.
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.