Text of the provision
Art. 679. No trees shall be planted near a tenement or piece of land belonging to another except at the distance authorized by the ordinances or customs of the place, and, in the absence thereof, at a distance of at least two meters from the dividing line of the estates if tall trees are planted and at a distance of at least fifty centimeters if shrubs or small trees are planted. Every landowner shall have the right to demand that trees hereafter planted at a shorter distance from his land or tenement be uprooted. The provisions of this article also apply to trees which have grown spontaneously.
(591a)
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 official-text renderings.
What this article means
Trees must be planted at the distance from a neighbor's land fixed by local ordinance or custom; absent that, at least two meters from the dividing line for tall trees and fifty centimeters for shrubs or small trees. A landowner may demand that trees planted closer be uprooted, and the rule applies as well to trees that grew spontaneously.
Questions about this provision
Related provisions
- Article 678 — Dangerous Or Noxious Works.
- Article 680 — Overhanging Branches And Roots.
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.