If she refuses to let you remove the trees, does not remove the trees on her own, or does not respond (most likely)just send her a second certified, return receipt letter. In this second letter, state that you previously notified of her safety hazard resulting from the diseased trees, even offered to remove the trees at your expense, and that she failed to take action. State that these trees pose a severe safety hazard to your family and your property. Make it clear from your tone (do not actually state it) that this second letter is a "letter for the judge" and you will be pursuing legal action if any harm befalls your family or your property due to her inaction on the diseased trees. Include some photos of the diseased trees, both for her and for the judge. Keep a copy of the letters and photos for the future lawsuits.

I have found a properly worded certifed, return reciept letter can work wonders.

I would have an attorney (or you probably could as well) write her a letter describing the situation and that the trees are dead and are a serious hazard (certified mail).

The trees need to come down. Ash trees are called "widow makers" because the limbs are heavy and, when they die, they become very brittle.

That said, tree removal has become very expensive in my area because of the skyrocketing demand due to the emerald ash borer. Make this a win-win. Send her the letter along with an estimate from a certified arborist recommending removal and a quote. Then tell her you know that's a lot of money, and if it's okay with her you'll go out with your chainsaw and drop them on her property for her. You'll be the hero, and even if she says no you'll be covered if anything happens.

I have a property that my boundary touches sever other homes. One home has a cluster of large trees who's branches extend over the property line a great distance. If one of those branches would come crashing down, it would take out my barn, shed or even garage. So I asked the owners of that property, a pair of married attorney's to please trim their trees. Their response, "we con't have the money right now". So I wrote them back a reply outlining their inability to trim back their trees and now that they've been put on notice, they are responsible for any damage.

However at the end of the letter I ask for permission to cut back any and all branches that cross over the property line -- cutting them back to their tree trunk. I also included an estimate of $2900, which I was willing to pay myself. Within an hour they gave me oral permission, followed up by written consent. Then next day I had my tree trimmers complete the job, saving myself from any damage.

Didn't you a few weeks ago ask about what to do with surplus money? I think you said you were looking for other investments.

How about starting a tree service? Hire people to do the work just like you do to fix houses.

Don't cut them or you're liable for their replacement. Don't get a lawyer to write the letter because, if that were me, you'd make me dig in my heels. Do as Rathdrum Girl said. I bet she can kill with kindness.

Stealing dead trees is about the lowest level crime if it even is one. It's a lot like stealing from a garbage can, but slightly more bad. Look at the downside of inaction - your children are at risk.

With pics you would only be liable for the value of the tree in the condition it was in before you cut it down.

Ever watched People's Court with cases of overgrown trees?

The judge always refers to local codes where the trees are located.

In a few cases she mentioned that you can cut any branch of a neighbor's tree growing over your lot. Collecting from the absent/lazy/indifferent neighbor is a different issue.

I have several acres of ash that are still "okay" on the outside. I have many acres where they are dead. I am told the ones that are still standing are probably not healthy inside. BUT, I have a logging project coming up and they bid on the ash.

Do the work yourself ... find a logger and see if there is any value while they are still standing. If so, get a bid, send it to the property owner and say you'll oversee, the logging of her property. Depending on the bid, offer to split the proceeds with her or allow her to have it all.

Not exactly sure where you are located but there should be a lot of logging companies/mills in your area.

Since you say it is a 15 acre parcel, it sounds like you are way out in the country. Country folks do things differently than city folks. So, if that's the case, you can probably get away with just taking them down and nobody will ever care.

If you ask & the owner says "no", then what?