Комментарий к Бава Батра 2:13

קוצץ – [he cuts] the branches until the height of the handle protruding over the plough (i.e., the ox-goad), to not prevent him from bringing his plough there (see Talmud Bava Batra 27b).

If a tree stretches into another’s field, he may cut it away as far as is reached by an ox-goad held over the plough, or, if it is a carob or sycamore, [he may cut it away] according to the plumb line’s measure.
All trees that stretch over irrigated fields may be cut away according to the plumb line’s measure.
Abba Shaul says: “All trees that bear no fruit may be cut away according to the plumb line’s measure.”
We learned yesterday in mishnah twelve that if another person’s trees encroach on one’s property one may cut out the roots, up to a certain depth. In mishnah thirteen we learn that if another person’s branches encroach on one’s property they may also be removed.
In this mishnah we encounter two different ways in which a person may cut off the branches of a tree that encroaches on his property. In section one we learn that in general a person can cut them as high as is reached by the “ox-goad held over the plough”. An ox-goad is the whip which a person riding a plough pulled by oxen would use to goad the oxen. If the branches were to interfere with the ox-goad one would have trouble plowing his field. Therefore, up until this height one can always remove the branches. The other measure for cutting down trees is the plumb line, which would go straight up from the end of his property. In other words, any branches hanging over his property may be cut down. One can cut away according to the measure of the plumb line in the following situations: 1) a carob or sycamore’s tree, whose branches are thick and will provide too much shade for the field over which they hang. 2) Any tree that stretches over an irrigated field, which needs a lot of irrigation. A tree from another field blocking its access to rain will cause much damage to this type of field. According to Abba Shaul one may always cut away up until the plumb line.

מרדע – which teaches the cattle [sense].

החרוב והשקמה – that their shade is great and difficult for the field.

כנגד המשקולת – cuts everything that hangs over into his field. משקולת/plummet is a threat that those who build walls suspend from it the weight of lead.

ואם בית השלחין היא – a land thirsting for water.

כל האילן כנגד המשקולת – even if it is not a carob or sycamore tree, he cuts as measured by the plummet, for the shade is bad for a field requiring irrigation.

אבא שאול אומר וכו' – he is referring to the first part [of the Mishnah], as the first Tanna/teacher stated, “he cuts them off as far as the ox-goad protrudes [over the plough] and even if it is a tree that bears no fruit, except for a carob [tree] and sycamore [tree] and Abba Shaul said to him: Any non-fruit bearing tree may be cut by measuring with the plummet. But the Halakha is not according to Abba Shaul.