diff --git a/backend/app/api/endpoints/trees.py b/backend/app/api/endpoints/trees.py
index 73927cf8..2ea68c48 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/endpoints/trees.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/endpoints/trees.py
@@ -392,8 +392,8 @@ async def get_tree(
 
     if not tree.is_active or not can_access_tree(current_user, tree):
         raise HTTPException(
-            status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN,
-            detail="You don't have access to this tree"
+            status_code=status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND,
+            detail="Tree not found"
         )
 
     return build_full_tree_response(tree)
@@ -611,8 +611,8 @@ async def update_tree(
 
     if not can_edit_tree(current_user, tree):
         raise HTTPException(
-            status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN,
-            detail="You can only edit your own trees"
+            status_code=status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND,
+            detail="Tree not found"
         )
 
     # Extract tags for separate handling
@@ -1145,8 +1145,8 @@ async def update_tree_visibility(
 
     if not can_edit_tree(current_user, tree):
         raise HTTPException(
-            status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN,
-            detail="You can only edit your own trees"
+            status_code=status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND,
+            detail="Tree not found"
         )
 
     # Update visibility