Question:
If one purchased a plot of land to build a house. The plot contained an old olive tree in the centre and incorporating the tree into the centre of the house would be very difficult and peculiar.
From reading it seems that the halacha is that one can cut down the cut completely in order to build a home. Does the halacha require one to have a non Jew cut down the tree, or perhaps to even sell the tree to the non Jew beforehand?
Thank you
Answer:
Hello,
You have to be careful with such a situation, and even if it is technically permitted to cut down the tree because you need the space for a more important, valuable use. Nevertheless, it is still important[1] that a Jew should not uproot the tree, rather a non-Jew. It is preferred that not only should the gentile uproot the tree but that he should first purchase the tree from you. Another preference, ( if it will not[2] be a large expense) although this can be expensive, that the gentile should uproot the tree together with enough earth, that the tree can live from that earth, and move it somewhere else.
Sources:
[1] ע' ס' עץ השדה פ"י סע' א' מש"כ בזה שיש מחלוקת אם יש סכנה אפילו במקום שמותר לקצוץ אילן ושהפוסקים החמירו בזה,וע' שם בכל הפקר שמדבר על ענין הזאת.
[2] שבט הלוי ח"ה צ"ה שא"צ להוציא הוצאות גדולות כדי להעביר האילן למקום אחר משום בעל תשחית
