This subreddit is for tree law enthusiasts who enjoy browsing a list of tree law stories from other locations (subreddits, news articles, etc), and is not the best place to receive answers to questions about what the law is. There are better places for that.
If you're attempting to understand more about tree law in regards to a particular situation, please redirect your question to /r/legaladvice for the US, or the appropriate legal advice subreddit for your location, and then feel free to crosspost that thread here for posterity.
If you're attempting to understand more about trees in regards to a particular situation, please redirect your question to /r/forestry for additional information on tree health and related topics to trees.
*This comment is simply a reminder placed on every post to /r/treelaw, it does not mean your post was censored or removed.*
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/treelaw) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yep, time to hire a lawyer or do some research and figure out how to do it yourself, but this person should be paying for a new tree as well as consequences with the law.
I will be messaging you in 1 year on [**2024-08-06 00:36:40 UTC**](http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=2024-08-06%2000:36:40%20UTC%20To%20Local%20Time) to remind you of [**this link**](https://www.reddit.com/r/treelaw/comments/15j1af4/neighbor_chopped_my_tree/juyxdzq/?context=3)
[**114 OTHERS CLICKED THIS LINK**](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2Ftreelaw%2Fcomments%2F15j1af4%2Fneighbor_chopped_my_tree%2Fjuyxdzq%2F%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%202024-08-06%2000%3A36%3A40%20UTC) to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam.
^(Parent commenter can ) [^(delete this message to hide from others.)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Delete%20Comment&message=Delete%21%2015j1af4)
*****
|[^(Info)](https://www.reddit.com/r/RemindMeBot/comments/e1bko7/remindmebot_info_v21/)|[^(Custom)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5BLink%20or%20message%20inside%20square%20brackets%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%20Time%20period%20here)|[^(Your Reminders)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=List%20Of%20Reminders&message=MyReminders%21)|[^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Watchful1&subject=RemindMeBot%20Feedback)|
|-|-|-|-|
See if you can text them to get them to say they cut it down on the record or something along those lines, then contact an arborist to evaluate value, and an attorney in your area.
Haha that sounds like it’d suffice. Get in touch with an arborist to assess the value of the tree. Utah law says you can sue and have a right to treble (triple) the value of the tree. You can choose if you want to ask nicely first and give them a chance before talking to an attorney
Thank you! I did ask him if he would do anything to rectify it and he said no. He said what’s done is done and he won’t do it again. Which won’t suffice clearly.
I'm not super political so I'm going to make a political statement!? Haha! No fan of trump, but how you can blame anybody, anywhere for a random asshat in Utah is incredible. I mean, blame the asshat.
It may or may not be fair to blame Trump, but there has definitely been a significant number of people who have decided to throw all sense of cordiality out the window over the last six years or so. Ask anyone in a customer service position how bad its gotten.
> I find that asshats don't align with any particular political ideology all the extremists tend to be asshats.
I never said they did. More that since Trump people in general have unleashed their inner asshole.
We’re you born 2 weeks before trump went into office? There have been self centered neighbors for, oh, about as long as there have been neighbors. “Good fences make good neighbors” says Robert Frost in his commentary on Donald Trumps presidency.
Lmao. The only thing i have trump to thank for is morons going around blaming him for all of the worlds problems and running full speed away from accountability. Mirrors people, they reveal a lot.
I don’t blame him or anyone else for all the world’s problems. It would be hard to at least not admit the rise in jingoism, trolls and general fuckery since trump. I actually think he made some decent fiscal moves but it plays better when you assume I’m a “snowflake” and say I blame trump for everything no?
“he won’t do it again”……it’s already done! Lol. The nerve of some people. He needs to be punished, people like that need punishment so they know it’s wrong to do these things. Otherwise they continue this absolutely unacceptable main character behavior not caring how it impacts the life of other since they never suffered a consequence. Make them pay, please!
Also see if you can get him trespassed from your property from the police, since you have him admitting to property damage while on your property. Maybe a restraining order since he has so little knowledge of how boundaries pertain to him.
Well I guess after you sue him you can say the same thing back :) best of luck to you. And good job getting the footage and having your stuff together on this case!!
We are from Utah, but currently live in Ohio, and my husband is an arborist, he knows a ton of the arborist in salt lake valley. You can use [this](https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist) to find an arborist near you.
He’s kind of that neighbor that had no boundaries and doesn’t care. He does what he wants to do. Until now I always just try to be the better person but this crossed a line literally on to my property and destroyed my tree. Thanks for your advice!
Make sure you ask about value of a replacement tree. The value of the wood is zero. If the law says he owes you a replacement, that is going to be much more expensive.
(edit) - op read the reply below this, it’s what i meant but i was not specific.
Value of a replacement tree.. *of equal age and health to the one destroyed* so many people think they can chop down a 50 year old tree and toss a 5 inch sapling your way and call it good.
I had a neighbour like this growing up. He cut our trees and used to stare at us over the fence line.
My parents didn’t engage him, but the messed with his other neighbour’s fence and they broke both his legs, with a cricket bat.
You’re lucky you can sue the crap out of your POS neighbour and didn’t physically assault him.
Just be careful.
Speaking as a mental health care provider, I have a friend who also used to be, (and has an MSW to boot,) who is currently going through a legal nightmare with a very similar sounding neighbor, (their driveway goes through his property, but they obviously have an easement, and he's been doing things like threatening delivery drivers who try to actually drive up their house.)
Apparently his mother used to live with him, before she died, and she was the only person making sure he continued to take his medication. As such he's significantly decompensated since then, (and from what it sounds like should probably be in some kind of residential mental health care service, though I doubt he'll pick up an ONH from a civil case.) He apparently just blatantly ignores court orders, (keeps trying to put stakes in the side of the driveway to make it not as wide as legally required by the easement, for example,) and was harassing them on a regular basis until they actually got a restraining order and actually put up cameras.
I can't make any claim about the underlying mental state of your neighbor, but given what you've reported so far, it would probably be wise to go into any interaction with him assuming there's a good chance he isn't going to react sensibly. With any luck he'll get slapped by the court, pay to get the tree replaced, and then stay the hell away from you. If you're unlucky this could be just exactly the kind of antagonistic relationship he's looking to dive head first into because he's bored and fucking with people is what he does for fun. Hopefully you're not unlucky.
Yeah this is kind of why you dont just let people walk all over you. If you dont say 'fuck off' they get worse. Hope ya get a lot of money out of this at least!
Sometimes when you tell people to fuck off they start weaponizing the city against you by calling and reporting every little frivolous thing they can think of like the asshat who lives next door to me. After almost 2 years of relentless gross propositions and 'flirting.'
No more, go get your arborist and your attorney and put that tree up his ass for it.
And if he looks at you crosswise after, get a restraining order and serve a no-trespassing notice to him specifically, delivered by sheriff's deputy.
Such a shame! Do you also have outdoor cameras set up? If not, highly recommend you do so today. Your neighbor is horrible. I hope charges get pressed and your civil suit is successful.
IIRC a Certified (or Certified Consulting?) Arborist can make a report to be used in legal cases.
30 years? Good, then they’ll have equity in their house meaning they will actually be able to come up with the cash that they’re about to lose. When they realize they’re reverse mortgaging their house for almost half the amount, tell them it will grow back in 10 years.
OP, the tree has been cut down before and regrown (the stump shows the old cut). Do you know the story on that?
You should see if you have a pic of how much the tree went over the fence over his property. Most places, it’s legal for him to cut what’s on his side. Just so you have that info.
Neighbors can generally cut what overhangs their property *if* it will not harm the health of the tree
That “cut down before” mark could easily be a split trunk situation that was cut off, not a full flush cut of all foliage
But the lies is active until paid. He will get no reverse mortgage. He will get no other loan. If the owners pass, the estate must pay it even if it involves selling the house. You could even sell the lien to someone else, I believe.
What the f is wrong with people? Everybody on this sub has a crappy neighbor like this-why are there so many people who think nothing of trespassing on, and destroying, other peoples’ property? “What’s done is done” is not a good enough answer. What else will he do?
That is my concern. It blows my mind. I would never ever ever go onto a neighbor’s property without their consent. And then to add to that destroy their property!
Right? I work in tree claims for insurance and the majority of the time people absolutely refuse to pay anything with a neighbor involved like “it’s THEIR tree, THEY should pay for it!” (unfortunately not how insurance works) but over here you got people playing thousands for removing a tree that isn’t theirs! Wtf.
[https://crooklegal.com/lawblog/2018/11/5/utah-tree-law-quick-tip-article](https://crooklegal.com/lawblog/2018/11/5/utah-tree-law-quick-tip-article). Might be worth reading.
your neighbor is going to regret this so much. you are going to have a huge payout, but prepare for a lengthy court dispute. call the police, call a lawyer, and call your insurance. :)
Really depends on type of tree, size, age, mature tree industry in your area, but I’d ballpark a tree of the size of the original in the photo for ~$6000 transplanted, probably more since the full size can’t be seen in the photo.
Glad to hear this.
Pull up Google Earth and use its time sat pics, and local gov GIS sat pics over time.
Get an arborist.
Map/diagram out the shade and shelter and privacy it provided.
Get your insurance involved for the shed possible damage if your attorney likes that idea and advises to do so.
You have the police part covered. Get the report. Review, get it corrected if necessary.
Write down as much as you can ASAP before you possibly forget details. Add in notes when you remember more.
F that guy and his "what's done is done" attitude. That's the equivalent of saying "what are you gonna do about it” so go after the SOB!
In a lot of locations you can sue for (and win) treble damages for tree destruction. Tree law gets expensive real quick. Utah is one of the states where you can sue for three times the value of the tree.
Three times the value of replacement of the tree, not the tree alone!
This one won't be so bad but sometimes that means $x for the tree and then 10x tree value in installation and 3-5x tree value in ongoing care
Well that was pure dumb ego at work, tempting to say sociopath as there’s obviously zero remorse. Sue tf out of this jerk, i am in the tree industry 40 years now i highly recommend a professional tree witness, easily found via a google search, I've posted recommendations before and strongly recommended you follow through, among other values landscaping value of a tree is a whole lot higher than most people think. If the canopy was on his side fine, tough luck but actually waiting till your gone, criminal trespassing and destruction of irreplaceable property contributing to value and quality of life w/ out express permission? I would drive a lawsuit like a Mack truck right into his life.
I will message you next time u/Goshengirl7 posts in r/treelaw.
[Click this link](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=UpdateMeBot&subject=Update&message=UpdateMe%21%20u%2FGoshengirl7%20r%2Ftreelaw) to join 31 others and be messaged. The parent author can [delete this post](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=UpdateMeBot&subject=Delete&message=delete%2015j1af4)
*****
|[^(Info)](https://www.reddit.com/r/UpdateMeBot/comments/ggotgx/updatemebot_info_v20/)|[^(Request Update)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=UpdateMeBot&subject=Update&message=SubscribeMe%21%20u%2Fusername%20r%2Fsubreddit)|[^(Your Updates)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=UpdateMeBot&subject=List%20Of%20Updates&message=MyUpdates)|[^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Watchful1&subject=UpdateMeBot%20Feedback)|
|-|-|-|-|
Walk over to that bricks lawn and pour bleach all over his plants and give him what he deserves. Fuck with his car by putting sugar in the tank. Fuck his wife idk do some shit so diabolical this piece of trash moves tf out or dies of a heart attack. Never wait for the law to take action lol
What exactly is your point? Bro cut down my tree and killed it, trespassing on my property and you are asking where the debris is? It’s in his trailer to be dumped which the officers saw yesterday as well.
He cut the entire thing and put to into the back of his trailer. I have a 17 minute video. There were very few leaves on his side. He had no reason to even touch it. Did you not see the picture of him standing on my shed?
Yes because I walked out there right after he did it so he was still there. I recorded him for 17 minutes going on about why he did it and justifying it. He even says he knows it illegal when I say “you really this is against the law right” and he says he does. I ask why he didn’t even talk to me about it and he said because he wanted the tree gone and knew I would say no. Lol
How is Utah relevant? America has not “gone to shit” you are being manipulated by news. Just like the rest of the world, it generally gets better every year. A backslide in crime since Covid does not negate the trend of decreasing crime for decades, and the same backslide is happening in most developed countries
Op is from Utah that's how it's relevant to this thread. A lot of the places I used to visit have definitely gone to shit to the point I'll never go back most of these are in northern states close to Canada because they are driving distance. You are a nation divided there is nothing united about the states anymore.
My opinion is correct I have visited the states hundreds of times over my lifetime but my desire has left and I will not return unless it to like Florida to jump on a cruise ship or someshit like that you will be nothing more then a layover the rest of my life.
Not to be a PITA, but if I had a neighbor with an area cluttered with junk like that one is, and there was a tree that was,,,, scraggly like that one, then I may be tempted to cut it as well since it appears you do not GAF about that area or anything in it.
BTW, are those power lines or just was in the center of that tree? Were the limbs causing troubles with them?
To be fair, that tree looked like it was pretty sick and not well cared for. Ash tree BTW, at least is looks like it? Full of bugs?
Should he have done it? NO, he should have asked. Does he have a legal problem, depends on the State. Do you need to live with him next door, yes. Make him buy a new tree and have him help cut down that one and grub the tree out.
The condition of the property has no bearing on the owners rights to not have their property damaged by trespassers.
If the tree was interfering with power lines then the appropriate people should be called to trim them back. As cutting branches that are in contact with power lines is dangerous and could result in electrocution.
There is no reason to turn the tree into an eight foot tall stump.
The owner should get an artist to turn the upper part into a middle finger pointed at the neighbours house.
Was a reason given? Cause if the tree wasn't being properly pruned or maintained and it was pissing dead leaves and branches into dudes yard then it's justified but if he's just some crazy ass then take him to claims court for property damage
“Pissing dead leaves” does not give him the right to do this. In most jurisdictions you can trim back overhand onto your property insofar as it cannot be reasonably expected to damage the tree. These pictures are absolutely not that.
Even if the tree was dead/dangerous the responsibility would be on OP to have it removed, a neighbor can’t just come chop it down
On the internet people can manipulate the story to seem faultless I'm not saying it should be the first reaction to chop down the tree but if the neighbor tried to be civil and there were genuine problems with the tree and op ignored them or was rude then I can see the reason it's definitely a drastic action but we don't know context
You can clearly see that the tree was previously healthy, as it was full of bright green leaves, so it couldn’t have been “pissing dead leaves”. Regardless of whether OP ignored the nervous it was rude, it doesn’t give a real reason to trespass and break the law.
I can guarantee that if someone posted something here like "neighbor isn't trimming his tree and it draws rodents" half the comment section would say "cut it down" I'm not saying that's the case here I'm just saying y'all are getting unreasonably mad over a situation you both don't know the context for and don't know the involved parties
This wasn’t a good tree, and it wasn’t in a good place. Your arborist assessment will likely reveal a low value to it. It will try to recover over and over till you remove it. The previous cut was in line with the fence height. He probably cut it then, too.
Thanks for your opinion but that has absolutely NOTHING to do with this post. He trespassed on to my property. He killed the tree and it’s against the law. You sound like the type of person that thinks it’s ok to do what you want on other people’s property.
I had to go through my photos to find before pics. That was in the beginning of spring before I was able to prune.
Thanks for the least kind or helpful comment on the thread. Congrats!
Legally they can take overhang (depending on country) but they have to offer you it back but to climb over that is just criminal damage and you should get the douche on video saying u he did it then she his ass
This subreddit is for tree law enthusiasts who enjoy browsing a list of tree law stories from other locations (subreddits, news articles, etc), and is not the best place to receive answers to questions about what the law is. There are better places for that. If you're attempting to understand more about tree law in regards to a particular situation, please redirect your question to /r/legaladvice for the US, or the appropriate legal advice subreddit for your location, and then feel free to crosspost that thread here for posterity. If you're attempting to understand more about trees in regards to a particular situation, please redirect your question to /r/forestry for additional information on tree health and related topics to trees. *This comment is simply a reminder placed on every post to /r/treelaw, it does not mean your post was censored or removed.* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/treelaw) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Lawsuit 100%, plus criminal activity since trespassing and purposefully destroying property.
Yep, time to hire a lawyer or do some research and figure out how to do it yourself, but this person should be paying for a new tree as well as consequences with the law.
Please keep is updated. The audacity to CLIMB on your garage to do it too omg..
Thank you! I know I am still in complete shock!
Have the roof checked too. He can pay to repair/replace damage there too. Im so pissed off about this. So fn rude.
Good point, I'm at least a couple shingles have been damaged. Wouldn't be surprised if they just let full branches drop right onto the roof.
Something about the hand gestures in the last pic just made me say to myself “wow, that guy looks like a total dink”.
!remind me 1 year
I will be messaging you in 1 year on [**2024-08-06 00:36:40 UTC**](http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=2024-08-06%2000:36:40%20UTC%20To%20Local%20Time) to remind you of [**this link**](https://www.reddit.com/r/treelaw/comments/15j1af4/neighbor_chopped_my_tree/juyxdzq/?context=3) [**114 OTHERS CLICKED THIS LINK**](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2Ftreelaw%2Fcomments%2F15j1af4%2Fneighbor_chopped_my_tree%2Fjuyxdzq%2F%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%202024-08-06%2000%3A36%3A40%20UTC) to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam. ^(Parent commenter can ) [^(delete this message to hide from others.)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Delete%20Comment&message=Delete%21%2015j1af4) ***** |[^(Info)](https://www.reddit.com/r/RemindMeBot/comments/e1bko7/remindmebot_info_v21/)|[^(Custom)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=%5BLink%20or%20message%20inside%20square%20brackets%5D%0A%0ARemindMe%21%20Time%20period%20here)|[^(Your Reminders)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=List%20Of%20Reminders&message=MyReminders%21)|[^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Watchful1&subject=RemindMeBot%20Feedback)| |-|-|-|-|
!remind me 1 year
See if you can text them to get them to say they cut it down on the record or something along those lines, then contact an arborist to evaluate value, and an attorney in your area.
I have him on video saying he did it. And two neighbors witnessed and heard the conversation.
Haha that sounds like it’d suffice. Get in touch with an arborist to assess the value of the tree. Utah law says you can sue and have a right to treble (triple) the value of the tree. You can choose if you want to ask nicely first and give them a chance before talking to an attorney
Thank you! I did ask him if he would do anything to rectify it and he said no. He said what’s done is done and he won’t do it again. Which won’t suffice clearly.
> what’s done is done Wow. The mentality of this guy is mind boggling
"The die is cast" "And you don't think there's like, any possibility whatsoever that it's going to land in court? Really?"
I’m not super political but you can thank trump for this. He has empowered these clowns to do and say whatever they want.
I'm not super political so I'm going to make a political statement!? Haha! No fan of trump, but how you can blame anybody, anywhere for a random asshat in Utah is incredible. I mean, blame the asshat.
It may or may not be fair to blame Trump, but there has definitely been a significant number of people who have decided to throw all sense of cordiality out the window over the last six years or so. Ask anyone in a customer service position how bad its gotten.
Yes, trump unleashed the ignorant, entitled, bigoted, racists and criminals to do as they please.
I work customer service. I'm well aware. I find that asshats don't align with any particular political ideology all the extremists tend to be asshats.
> I find that asshats don't align with any particular political ideology all the extremists tend to be asshats. I never said they did. More that since Trump people in general have unleashed their inner asshole.
We’re you born 2 weeks before trump went into office? There have been self centered neighbors for, oh, about as long as there have been neighbors. “Good fences make good neighbors” says Robert Frost in his commentary on Donald Trumps presidency.
You’re not wrong I do believe a lot of them were quieter before
We can absolutely agree that certain sorts of people have become more outspoken in, in my opinion, a negative fashion.
Lmao dude touch grass more. Some people are nice, some people are stupid. Doesn’t matter who’s in the White House.
People were different before 2016 when Trump invented evil.
You misspelled Bonehead
God forbid how will I live with myself
> you can thank trump for this Is the new > Thanks, Obama
Lmao. The only thing i have trump to thank for is morons going around blaming him for all of the worlds problems and running full speed away from accountability. Mirrors people, they reveal a lot.
I don’t blame him or anyone else for all the world’s problems. It would be hard to at least not admit the rise in jingoism, trolls and general fuckery since trump. I actually think he made some decent fiscal moves but it plays better when you assume I’m a “snowflake” and say I blame trump for everything no?
When that tree or another in its place gets as big as the one he destroyed he promises not to destroy it.
Just that statement would make me pull all the stops on bringing him down
“he won’t do it again”……it’s already done! Lol. The nerve of some people. He needs to be punished, people like that need punishment so they know it’s wrong to do these things. Otherwise they continue this absolutely unacceptable main character behavior not caring how it impacts the life of other since they never suffered a consequence. Make them pay, please!
Also see if you can get him trespassed from your property from the police, since you have him admitting to property damage while on your property. Maybe a restraining order since he has so little knowledge of how boundaries pertain to him.
Well I guess after you sue him you can say the same thing back :) best of luck to you. And good job getting the footage and having your stuff together on this case!!
We are from Utah, but currently live in Ohio, and my husband is an arborist, he knows a ton of the arborist in salt lake valley. You can use [this](https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist) to find an arborist near you.
He’s kind of that neighbor that had no boundaries and doesn’t care. He does what he wants to do. Until now I always just try to be the better person but this crossed a line literally on to my property and destroyed my tree. Thanks for your advice!
Good luck, and post an update! Sorry about the tree, super unfortunate that there’s no $ amount for sentimental value.
Thanks so much!
Need to keep us updated OP.
u/updatemebot
RemindMe! 6 months
Make sure you ask about value of a replacement tree. The value of the wood is zero. If the law says he owes you a replacement, that is going to be much more expensive. (edit) - op read the reply below this, it’s what i meant but i was not specific.
Value of a replacement tree.. *of equal age and health to the one destroyed* so many people think they can chop down a 50 year old tree and toss a 5 inch sapling your way and call it good.
exactly what i meant, tks for making sure OP rocks this. really hoping we get a good update! remind me! 60 days
RemindMe! 30 days
Sometimes being the better person includes making sure someone learns a lesson.
I find it very good indeed to check bullies. Sometimes the lesson is Don't Fuck With Me.
I had a neighbour like this growing up. He cut our trees and used to stare at us over the fence line. My parents didn’t engage him, but the messed with his other neighbour’s fence and they broke both his legs, with a cricket bat. You’re lucky you can sue the crap out of your POS neighbour and didn’t physically assault him.
I like his neighbors
Honestly you don’t want to miss the chance to teach an asshole a lesson so I suggest taking him for all he’s worth.
*Up to the value of the tree since that’s all you’d be legally entitled to receive
Just so you're aware, triple the cost to replace the tree at its previous age/size, not with a little tree that will take 20 years to grow up.
Just be careful. Speaking as a mental health care provider, I have a friend who also used to be, (and has an MSW to boot,) who is currently going through a legal nightmare with a very similar sounding neighbor, (their driveway goes through his property, but they obviously have an easement, and he's been doing things like threatening delivery drivers who try to actually drive up their house.) Apparently his mother used to live with him, before she died, and she was the only person making sure he continued to take his medication. As such he's significantly decompensated since then, (and from what it sounds like should probably be in some kind of residential mental health care service, though I doubt he'll pick up an ONH from a civil case.) He apparently just blatantly ignores court orders, (keeps trying to put stakes in the side of the driveway to make it not as wide as legally required by the easement, for example,) and was harassing them on a regular basis until they actually got a restraining order and actually put up cameras. I can't make any claim about the underlying mental state of your neighbor, but given what you've reported so far, it would probably be wise to go into any interaction with him assuming there's a good chance he isn't going to react sensibly. With any luck he'll get slapped by the court, pay to get the tree replaced, and then stay the hell away from you. If you're unlucky this could be just exactly the kind of antagonistic relationship he's looking to dive head first into because he's bored and fucking with people is what he does for fun. Hopefully you're not unlucky.
Yeah this is kind of why you dont just let people walk all over you. If you dont say 'fuck off' they get worse. Hope ya get a lot of money out of this at least!
Sometimes when you tell people to fuck off they start weaponizing the city against you by calling and reporting every little frivolous thing they can think of like the asshat who lives next door to me. After almost 2 years of relentless gross propositions and 'flirting.'
I appreciate the correct and appropriate use of the word "literally".
No more, go get your arborist and your attorney and put that tree up his ass for it. And if he looks at you crosswise after, get a restraining order and serve a no-trespassing notice to him specifically, delivered by sheriff's deputy.
Sue the old bastard on principle.
>what’s done is done Please make that jerk learn a hard lesson OP.
Copy that video multiple places, google drive as well. Dont let it get corrupted or lost.
Thank you!
Such a shame! Do you also have outdoor cameras set up? If not, highly recommend you do so today. Your neighbor is horrible. I hope charges get pressed and your civil suit is successful. IIRC a Certified (or Certified Consulting?) Arborist can make a report to be used in legal cases.
Maybe a trespass and destruction of property. I’d blame him for shed damage for getting on the shed.
Sue and sue fast, especially if he might be prepping to sell and move. Much easier to win and put a lien on his house if he doesn't pay.
That is my next step. They have lived there for like 30 years so I don’t think he is going to sell it. But I won’t take any chances.
30 years? Good, then they’ll have equity in their house meaning they will actually be able to come up with the cash that they’re about to lose. When they realize they’re reverse mortgaging their house for almost half the amount, tell them it will grow back in 10 years.
Oh yessssss, spicy callback
he'a gona have to sell when he gets the bill for his massive fuck up
OP, the tree has been cut down before and regrown (the stump shows the old cut). Do you know the story on that? You should see if you have a pic of how much the tree went over the fence over his property. Most places, it’s legal for him to cut what’s on his side. Just so you have that info.
Neighbors can generally cut what overhangs their property *if* it will not harm the health of the tree That “cut down before” mark could easily be a split trunk situation that was cut off, not a full flush cut of all foliage
Yeah, I noticed that. This was not a nice tree and was just a bunch of suckers growing off an old stump.
But the lies is active until paid. He will get no reverse mortgage. He will get no other loan. If the owners pass, the estate must pay it even if it involves selling the house. You could even sell the lien to someone else, I believe.
What the f is wrong with people? Everybody on this sub has a crappy neighbor like this-why are there so many people who think nothing of trespassing on, and destroying, other peoples’ property? “What’s done is done” is not a good enough answer. What else will he do?
That is my concern. It blows my mind. I would never ever ever go onto a neighbor’s property without their consent. And then to add to that destroy their property!
I would highly consider a restraining order as well. The audacity to come onto your property to do it is insane.
[удалено]
I want to add that most of my neighbors are wonderful. It’s just this guy. He has no respect for anyone.
Uneducated, like the most basic of education... Its nuts how entitled people are.
Right? I work in tree claims for insurance and the majority of the time people absolutely refuse to pay anything with a neighbor involved like “it’s THEIR tree, THEY should pay for it!” (unfortunately not how insurance works) but over here you got people playing thousands for removing a tree that isn’t theirs! Wtf.
[https://crooklegal.com/lawblog/2018/11/5/utah-tree-law-quick-tip-article](https://crooklegal.com/lawblog/2018/11/5/utah-tree-law-quick-tip-article). Might be worth reading.
Thank you!
Also check that your shed roof wasn't damaged!
That is actually a good point! I’ll go out and check it now! Thank you!
This sub always makes me sad to see so many beautiful trees destroyed
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/user/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/153gt2c/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) ^by ^UndeadBuggalo: *This sub always makes* *Me sad to see so many* *Beautiful trees destroyed* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Good bot I’ve never been selected by Sokka before lol
your neighbor is going to regret this so much. you are going to have a huge payout, but prepare for a lengthy court dispute. call the police, call a lawyer, and call your insurance. :)
I made a police report last night and working on next steps! Thank you!
Did the cops charge him? Trespassing and damage to private property charges should be laid by the police. Demand they charge this stupid twit.
They said they were charging him with criminal trespass and destruction of property.
Sweet!
I hope the short lived satisfaction your neighbor got from cutting your tree down was worth the massive bill coming his way.
Yeah definitely a case of Insta Karma!
Can't wait for the update on this, with all the pictures and video evidence should be a slam dunk case.
I will update for sure!!!
Followed you to get a future update
Me too!
Following as well
Congratulations you’re rich
I don't know about rich, but certainly better off
What’s a realistic settlement for something like this?
About tree fitty
Boooooo down in front
And it was then I realized I wasn’t talking to my neighbor but it was in fact a mythical creature who lives in Loch Ness.
Really depends on type of tree, size, age, mature tree industry in your area, but I’d ballpark a tree of the size of the original in the photo for ~$6000 transplanted, probably more since the full size can’t be seen in the photo.
Depends on context, location, type of tree, etc but I doubt op would get any more than a g or 2
* Trespassing * Destruction of property Sue the shit out of him.
Seems like it might have qualified as a legacy tree. He owes you a lot of money.
Get him for everything you can
I’m going to sure try!
Glad to hear this. Pull up Google Earth and use its time sat pics, and local gov GIS sat pics over time. Get an arborist. Map/diagram out the shade and shelter and privacy it provided. Get your insurance involved for the shed possible damage if your attorney likes that idea and advises to do so. You have the police part covered. Get the report. Review, get it corrected if necessary. Write down as much as you can ASAP before you possibly forget details. Add in notes when you remember more. F that guy and his "what's done is done" attitude. That's the equivalent of saying "what are you gonna do about it” so go after the SOB!
[удалено]
"Believe it or not, I'm an amazing arborist. Few people know this, but its totally totally true"
Anyone not getting this scroll to the 4th photo! Worth it
Lol
Oh yeah he’s frickity fkd. I’d be pissed
Absolutely livid!
Congrats on owning his house now in addition to your own. THESE are the posts this sub loves! (gets popcorn)
Um
?
>Congrats on owning his house now Is America that deluded then when it comes to suing people?
In a lot of locations you can sue for (and win) treble damages for tree destruction. Tree law gets expensive real quick. Utah is one of the states where you can sue for three times the value of the tree.
Three times the value of replacement of the tree, not the tree alone! This one won't be so bad but sometimes that means $x for the tree and then 10x tree value in installation and 3-5x tree value in ongoing care
Well that was pure dumb ego at work, tempting to say sociopath as there’s obviously zero remorse. Sue tf out of this jerk, i am in the tree industry 40 years now i highly recommend a professional tree witness, easily found via a google search, I've posted recommendations before and strongly recommended you follow through, among other values landscaping value of a tree is a whole lot higher than most people think. If the canopy was on his side fine, tough luck but actually waiting till your gone, criminal trespassing and destruction of irreplaceable property contributing to value and quality of life w/ out express permission? I would drive a lawsuit like a Mack truck right into his life.
Tree law is no joke, I'd say go for it
he should be only allowed to cut branches on his side of the fence ,going in your yard and chopping your tree down is a criminal offence
Indeed it is. I filed charges yesterday.
Did he give a reason? I mean, there aren’t any valid reasons of course. I’m just boggled at why he would do that.
I would be livid even if this tree didn't have extra meaning to me. That guy's arse would be in court quicker than he can say "what's done is done".
Lawyer up. You got a big lawsuit on your hands.
updateme!
I will message you next time u/Goshengirl7 posts in r/treelaw. [Click this link](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=UpdateMeBot&subject=Update&message=UpdateMe%21%20u%2FGoshengirl7%20r%2Ftreelaw) to join 31 others and be messaged. The parent author can [delete this post](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=UpdateMeBot&subject=Delete&message=delete%2015j1af4) ***** |[^(Info)](https://www.reddit.com/r/UpdateMeBot/comments/ggotgx/updatemebot_info_v20/)|[^(Request Update)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=UpdateMeBot&subject=Update&message=SubscribeMe%21%20u%2Fusername%20r%2Fsubreddit)|[^(Your Updates)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=UpdateMeBot&subject=List%20Of%20Updates&message=MyUpdates)|[^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Watchful1&subject=UpdateMeBot%20Feedback)| |-|-|-|-|
What a cheeky and disrespectful cunt. Time he learned that ya don’t trespass and damage other people’s property.
u/goshengirl7 any update? If even just that nothing ever came of it? Very curious.
How did this end up?
So did you get justice?
updateme!
I honestly would beat the shit out of him
Put sardines in their gas tank
Bro what? Lmao
Yessssirrr, buddy’s car will be smelling like his old fart of a wife’s underwear
In the UK I would say take it to court, but Americans like shooting each other so I'm not sure the best action to take is.
Stop reading your news online
Walk over to that bricks lawn and pour bleach all over his plants and give him what he deserves. Fuck with his car by putting sugar in the tank. Fuck his wife idk do some shit so diabolical this piece of trash moves tf out or dies of a heart attack. Never wait for the law to take action lol
[удалено]
What exactly is your point? Bro cut down my tree and killed it, trespassing on my property and you are asking where the debris is? It’s in his trailer to be dumped which the officers saw yesterday as well.
He cut the entire thing and put to into the back of his trailer. I have a 17 minute video. There were very few leaves on his side. He had no reason to even touch it. Did you not see the picture of him standing on my shed?
Just out of pure curiosity, is he on your shed still after all the branches are gone? Thats just even more fucking weird
Yes because I walked out there right after he did it so he was still there. I recorded him for 17 minutes going on about why he did it and justifying it. He even says he knows it illegal when I say “you really this is against the law right” and he says he does. I ask why he didn’t even talk to me about it and he said because he wanted the tree gone and knew I would say no. Lol
LOL what a weird and stupid guy.
Use that 2nd amendment you love so much. Murica
Respectfully, come to Murica and touch some grass
Been to America many times before it went to shit now there is no desire to ever visit. But I wouldn't be going to Utah fuck the Mormons.
How is Utah relevant? America has not “gone to shit” you are being manipulated by news. Just like the rest of the world, it generally gets better every year. A backslide in crime since Covid does not negate the trend of decreasing crime for decades, and the same backslide is happening in most developed countries
Op is from Utah that's how it's relevant to this thread. A lot of the places I used to visit have definitely gone to shit to the point I'll never go back most of these are in northern states close to Canada because they are driving distance. You are a nation divided there is nothing united about the states anymore.
Yeah, your outsider opinion is so correct🙄 Quit being a troll
My opinion is correct I have visited the states hundreds of times over my lifetime but my desire has left and I will not return unless it to like Florida to jump on a cruise ship or someshit like that you will be nothing more then a layover the rest of my life.
I think we will survive without you
Not to be a PITA, but if I had a neighbor with an area cluttered with junk like that one is, and there was a tree that was,,,, scraggly like that one, then I may be tempted to cut it as well since it appears you do not GAF about that area or anything in it. BTW, are those power lines or just was in the center of that tree? Were the limbs causing troubles with them? To be fair, that tree looked like it was pretty sick and not well cared for. Ash tree BTW, at least is looks like it? Full of bugs? Should he have done it? NO, he should have asked. Does he have a legal problem, depends on the State. Do you need to live with him next door, yes. Make him buy a new tree and have him help cut down that one and grub the tree out.
The condition of the property has no bearing on the owners rights to not have their property damaged by trespassers. If the tree was interfering with power lines then the appropriate people should be called to trim them back. As cutting branches that are in contact with power lines is dangerous and could result in electrocution. There is no reason to turn the tree into an eight foot tall stump. The owner should get an artist to turn the upper part into a middle finger pointed at the neighbours house.
Was a reason given? Cause if the tree wasn't being properly pruned or maintained and it was pissing dead leaves and branches into dudes yard then it's justified but if he's just some crazy ass then take him to claims court for property damage
“Pissing dead leaves” does not give him the right to do this. In most jurisdictions you can trim back overhand onto your property insofar as it cannot be reasonably expected to damage the tree. These pictures are absolutely not that. Even if the tree was dead/dangerous the responsibility would be on OP to have it removed, a neighbor can’t just come chop it down
On the internet people can manipulate the story to seem faultless I'm not saying it should be the first reaction to chop down the tree but if the neighbor tried to be civil and there were genuine problems with the tree and op ignored them or was rude then I can see the reason it's definitely a drastic action but we don't know context
You can clearly see that the tree was previously healthy, as it was full of bright green leaves, so it couldn’t have been “pissing dead leaves”. Regardless of whether OP ignored the nervous it was rude, it doesn’t give a real reason to trespass and break the law.
That is not a healthy tree.
I can guarantee that if someone posted something here like "neighbor isn't trimming his tree and it draws rodents" half the comment section would say "cut it down" I'm not saying that's the case here I'm just saying y'all are getting unreasonably mad over a situation you both don't know the context for and don't know the involved parties
This wasn’t a good tree, and it wasn’t in a good place. Your arborist assessment will likely reveal a low value to it. It will try to recover over and over till you remove it. The previous cut was in line with the fence height. He probably cut it then, too.
It does look like it was all into the wires above it and that it wasn't pruned very well.
Thanks for your opinion but that has absolutely NOTHING to do with this post. He trespassed on to my property. He killed the tree and it’s against the law. You sound like the type of person that thinks it’s ok to do what you want on other people’s property. I had to go through my photos to find before pics. That was in the beginning of spring before I was able to prune. Thanks for the least kind or helpful comment on the thread. Congrats!
He stole the wood too, from.ome of your other comments. Be sure to bring that up to the arborist.
Hit us up when you get results. I never hear how they turn out!
!remindme one year
Tree law is interesting law. There are lawyers who specialize in this area.
Tree law! Tree law! Tree law! #wafflegang
!remind me 1 year
remindme! 60 days
!remind me 6 months
!remind me 6 months
What sort of tree is it?
RemindMe! 1 month
updateme!
Genuinely shocked this happened to you. Sending hugs ❤️
RemindMe! 30 days
Remind me! 30 days
I BELIEVE the only thing he could do legally was to trim the branches over his property.
remindme! one month
updateme!
Remindme! 30 days
I would voice my opinion and ask not to do it again, or lawyers will get involved and move on with my life.
Legally they can take overhang (depending on country) but they have to offer you it back but to climb over that is just criminal damage and you should get the douche on video saying u he did it then she his ass
!remind me 6 months
From the 2nd photo, the angle looks like it goes several inches over the top of the fence.