Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Tennessee

Under Tennessee law, you can exercise 'self-help' in this instance - meaning that you can take the necessary steps yourself (or hire someone) to trim back the tree from your property so that it isn't affecting your property.

Additionally, under Tennessee law, the owner of a tree is liable for any damage caused by the tree to another person's property - so if the tree is causing damage to your property or does so in the future, then your neighbor would be responsible for the cost of repairing the damage.

You may want to consider advising your neighbor that, unless he/she takes care of the problem now, then he/she will be responsible for any damage that may occur. Obviously it would be less expensive to fix the problem without also having to pay for damage to your property.