A number of trees in the community are situated on HOA common areas.
The HOA currently conducts an annual tree inspection each Fall, carried out in conjunction with Vista Management Company and a licensed Arborist. The main items under review are as follows:
- The removal of dead trees/limbs that compromise the safety of HOA members walking along the common areas trail. Once taken down such trees will be cut in several sections and left on site.
- The pruning and maintenance of trees on communal areas within the neighborhood (e.g. around townhome parking spaces and on traffic circles). Note: It is unlikely that pruning will be conducted in the forested areas of the community.
Outside of the annual inspection, the HOA is responsible for attending to fallen trees that are on HOA communal grounds and are deemed to be causing some sort of issue and/or danger.
The HOA is not responsible for:
- Branches from HOA Trees leaning toward/overhanging homeowner’s properties.
- Trees or limbs that have fallen in a homeowner’s property, even if the tree came from a communal area. In Montgomery County, and all of Maryland, when a tree or its branches fall it is considered an “Act of God”. This means the portion of the tree and the damage from it that is on your property is your responsibility to clean up and repair. The portion of the tree and damage on neighboring properties is their responsibility. Such accidents are normally covered by the affected owner’s insurance, and are usually resolved by reporting a claim.
Homeowners are responsible for:
- The removal of overhanging branches from HOA trees on their properties.
- Trees or limbs that have fallen in a homeowner’s property, even if the tree came from a communal area (see above).
See the Trees section on our Information page for further information.