Under its covenants and bylaws, the Bishops Ridge Homeowners Association maintains the community’s common areas, including our natural forests and landscaped areas. The HOA works to keep trees in good condition and the community safe.

Requesting tree work on common property

Send requests to trim or remove trees on common property to our property manager, Cedar Management, at Support@MyCMG.com. Cedar notifies the Board, and the Board assesses each request.

Include in your email:

• Photos of the tree(s) showing their position relative to your property line

• Your address

• If the tree is near your property line, a copy of your property survey and/or legal markers set at the boundary.

Natural forests, common areas, and greenway

The mature forests, ravines, and greenway path along Chalyce Lane are defining features of Bishops Ridge. We share a responsibility to leave them undisturbed where possible while protecting personal and community property.

Dead trees

• No threat to property: left undisturbed.

• Close enough that a fall could damage structures (homes, fences, mailboxes, streetlights, street signs): taken down by a professional service, then left on the ground when possible or hauled away if necessary. Stumps are not removed or ground down.

Live trees

• No threat to property: left undisturbed. You may trim branches overhanging your property back to the property line, as allowed under NC law. If the tree dies as a result, you are responsible for its removal and replacement.

• Unstable, leaning, or storm-prone: report it for evaluation. If a professional or arborist deems it a threat, it is taken down and left on the ground when possible. Stumps are not removed or ground down.

Some common-area trees are managed by different parties depending on location. The City of Charlotte, our landscape contractor, and the HOA each play a role. Pruning, removal, disposal, and replacement are decided case by case.

NC tree law (for reference)

• Falling trees: NC does not apply a “your tree, your responsibility” rule for wind or storm damage. If a healthy tree falls onto your property, your own homeowner’s insurance typically covers it. A neighbor is liable only if negligent, such as knowing the tree was dead, diseased, or hazardous and failing to act.

• Neighbor’s branches: Under NC’s “self-help” rule, you may trim branches and roots up to your property line, but the work must be reasonable. You can be liable if it damages or kills the neighbor’s tree.

• Shared trees: A trunk straddling the property line is joint property. Neither owner should remove it without the other’s permission.

The Board asks that every resident help care for our shared property in a neighborly way.