SingaporeCan I Cut Overhanging Tree Branches in Singapore?
Yes, you may trim branches that overhang onto your property up to the boundary line—but not beyond, and only if the tree is not protected under the Parks and Trees Act.
What the Law Says
Under Singapore law, landowners have a qualified right to abate encroachments — including overhanging branches — from adjacent properties. However, this right is subject to statutory safeguards, particularly for heritage or ecologically significant trees.
Section 10 of the Parks and Trees Act (Cap. 216) prohibits the pruning, removal, or destruction of any 'heritage tree' or tree in a 'tree conservation area' without prior written approval from the National Parks Board (NParks). A heritage tree is defined as one with a girth of 1.5 m or more at 1.3 m above ground level, or one declared by NParks as having historical, cultural, or ecological significance.
Common law principles affirmed in cases such as *Tan Keng Ya v Loh Hock Seng* [1984] SLR(R) 722 recognise a landowner’s right to cut back overhanging branches up to the property boundary — but not to enter the neighbour’s land, damage the trunk or roots, or dispose of the cuttings on the neighbour’s property without consent.
Statutory TextA person may lop off any branch or root of a tree which overhangs or projects into his land, but he must not thereby injure the tree.
— Tan Keng Ya v Loh Hock Seng [1984] SLR(R) 722, at 727
Statutory TextNo person shall prune, remove or destroy any heritage tree... except with the written approval of the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation.
— Parks and Trees Act (Cap. 216), s 10(1)
What to Do
Check if the tree is protected: Use NParks’ Heritage Tree Register or contact NParks at 1800-471-7300 to verify status.
Trim only up to your side of the boundary; do not climb onto neighbour’s land, cut roots/trunk, or cause visible harm to the tree. Return cuttings to the neighbour unless otherwise agreed.
Sources
Related Questions
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-10-03.