What are the legal rules regarding planting trees from the property line of neighbours?

Questioner

Dear lawyer, I have been living in a new housing estate since February 2015. When these rental properties were completed, I had agreed with my neighbor not to plant large trees in the backyard, due to possible nuisance. In the past 2 years, he has planted two trees right next to our fence. The trees grow very quickly and since I hope to live here for the rest of my life, I would like to intervene in time, before the trees are too large and difficult to move. In addition, I would like to maintain a good relationship. How can I best adjust this, what are the rules that apply to us regarding planting trees and shrubs and where can I find the rules that I can bring to his attention? I would love to hear from you, yours sincerely,

Lawyer

The law contains the rules, minimum distance to be respected from the tree (half the thickness of the trunk) to the property boundary two meters and that of shrubs and hedges, 0.50 cm. Municipalities may deviate from this. You can ask your municipality if this is the case. In that case, trees, shrubs and hedges may be close to a property boundary. For example in Amsterdam. If the law applies: you may request that your neighbour keeps the tree or shrubs and hedges within the prohibited zone as high as the fence, and separately, you may also defend yourself if there is a nuisance from chlorophyll and root growth.