(Mishnah): One must distance a tree from a pit by 25 amos (as the roots can damage). If he planted a carob or sycamore tree, he must distance it 50 amos, whether the tree is raised above (if the ground declines) or level with the pit.

If the pit preceded the tree, the pit owner can cut the tree down and pay the tree owner; if the tree was first, he may not.

If it is unclear which was first, he may not cut it down.

R. Yosi: Even if the pit was first, he may not cut down the tree, as each is working within his own property.

A person should not plant a tree near his neighbor's field, unless he distanced it by four amos; whether it is a grapevine, or any other tree.

If there was a fence between them, each may plant near the fence.

If its roots enter into his neighbor's field, the neighbor may cut the roots as deep as three tefachim, so that they do not prevent his plough from passing.

If he was digging a pit, a long pit or a roofed pit and he came across his neighbor's roots he may cut them as he digs down and he may keep the wood.

(Gemara) - R. Yaakov bar Idi citing R. Yehoshua ben Levi: The reason of the Rabbanan (that if the pit preceded the tree, he may cut down the tree) is that society cannot function without water pits.

Shimon bar Vava citing R. Yochanan: This was R. Yosi's response to the Chachamim - just as society cannot function without pits, I say that it cannot function without trees.

R. Yasa in the name of R. Yochanan: Roots have no significance in the laws of the first fruits. (Note: According to the Sefer Shaarei Toras Eretz Yisrael, this sentence should be inserted here.)

R. Yosi: Correct. If you say that the roots are significant for the first fruits, no person would ever be able to bring the first fruits as the roots of this one interlock with the neighbor's roots and vice-versa. This is why R. Yasa said this in the name of R. Yochanan.