When It Is Mutar, Is There a Sakanah?
Halachically Mutar Cases
33. More valuable. Some poskim say that even when one has the “greater value” heter to cut down a tree (20), there is still a sakanah (שו''ת שאילת יעב''ץ סי' ע''ו, שו''ת מנחת אלעזר ח''ג סי' י''ג, שו''ת אמרי נועם ח''ב סי' ג', שו''ת צבי לצדיק סי' י'). However, most poskim hold that there is no sakanah according to the Gemara (ט''ז יו''ד סי' קט''ז סק''ו, שו''ע הרב, שו''ת חיים שאל סי' כ''ג, שו''ת השיב משה יו''ד סי' ל''ז, אבני צדק יו''ד סי' מ''ה).
34. Damaging. Some say that when a tree is damaging other things and one can halachically uproot it (25), there is also no sakanah since it is causing damage (שו''ת תשרות ש''י מה''ת סי' קס''ה, שו''ת זכר שמחה סי' כ''ג). This is especially so if it is damaging other trees (24) and cutting it down will save them (ברכת השם סי' א' מקוה''ב אות ק'). However, others hold there is a sakanah even if the tree is causing damage (שאילת יעב''ץ שם).
35. Old tree. Some say that if a tree is old and not producing fruit properly (above, 31), there is no sakanah in cutting it down even if there is a sakanah for other mutar cases (שאילת יעב''ץ סי' ע''ו, שו''ת נטע שורק יו''ד סי' מ''ב). Others say cutting it down still involves sakanah (שו''ת מהריא''ץ סי' כ''ה, יש''ש).
Sakanah Based On R’ Yehuda HaChassid
36. We cited various cases and opinions regarding sakanah according to the Gemara in mutar cases. But the poskim also discuss whether there is still a sakanah based on R’ Yehuda HaChassid’s tzava’ah. Some poskim hold that there is still a sakanah according to his tzava’ah even where it is technically mutar (שו''ת חיים שאל סוף סי' כ''ג, ס' מילי דחסידותא, פי' שבעים תמרים). Thus, when allowing one to cut down a fruit tree, it is customary to combine other elements so that it is done in the best possible way.
Cutting Down in the Best Possible Way
37. To allow one to cut down a fruit tree, poskim customarily stipulate many aspects of heter (שו''ת אבני צדק, מו''ר בשו''ת קנה בושם), as will be explained.
38. Halachically mutar. First of all, it must be a case where it is mutar to cut down or uproot the tree, e.g., that will have greater value, the tree is causing damage, it is old, or the like.
39. Sell to a non-Jew. Even when it is technically mutar, it is best to sell the tree to a non-Jew with a kinyan of money and a shtar and have the non-Jew cut it down (שו''ת בית שלמה יו''ד סי' קצ''א, שו''ת אמני נועם, שו''ת יד יצחק). Although selling it to a non-Jew alone is just a trick and does not help (שו''ת נטע שורק יו''ד סי' מ''ב ועוד), when there are also other considerations to allow it, the minhag is to be meikel (שו''ת בית יצחק יו''ד ח''א קמ''ב).
40. Uprooting the tree and replanting it. Another mutar method when there are other factors to allow it is to have a non-Jew uproot the entire tree with its roots and some earth and replant it elsewhere (שאילת יעב''ץ שם) if experts think it will take root in its new location.
41. Beis din of three. Since some hold that there is a sakanah for the posek who allows cutting down a tree in addition to the one who cuts it down (שו''ת צבי תפארת יו''ד סי' ו'), the minhag is to have a three-member beis din or three rabbanim permit it. This way, it is not an individual giving the heter but a beis din, and the zechus harabim will protect them (שו''ת מנחת אלעזר ח''ג סי' י''ג בשם הישמח משה, שו''ת אבני צדק סי' מ''ו, שו''ת דברי יואל יו''ד סי' צ''ג, מו''ר בשו''ת קנה בושם ח''ג סי' נ').
