What would you do? - ReddFeed.com

So we bought a house a year ago. Today I watched my neighbor saw into a tree on my property. Then used a pick ax to tear some bark off. I got concerned as this tree is leaning towards my house. I called the cops because property wars lead to horrible things. Come to find out apparently the man that was cutting the tree has been out of the country for a year. And this is how he killed trees on this property before I moved in. He told the cops it kills the limbs and keeps the tree from growing. And he didn’t know the lady that lived here passed away. Now they offered to pay 50% to get the tree removed. So now they he has possibly killed the tree, it will most likely have to come down. We were going to remove the tree like I said because it does lean towards our home but there was no immediate danger to my home.
My boyfriend says he thinks they should be held responsible for the whole tree now because they decided to do what they did..what do you think?
Location: Pa

Comments

Internet_Ghost

July 22, 2025

>My boyfriend says he thinks they should be held responsible for the whole tree now because they decided to do what they did..what do you think?

There’s a strong legal argument for that. There’s a strong legal argument that you’re owed the value of the tree (assuming the tree can’t be saved) and the removal. Your state allows for treble damages in cases like this. But from practical perspective though, is the cost, time, and effort going to be worth pursuing that legally if he doesn’t agree with you?

>What would you do?

That is not a great question to ask when you’re seeking legal advice. No one is you and your boyfriend but you and your boyfriend. Everyone else is going to have a different context from which to answer that question. For example, I’d probably just take the half. I’d be pissed. But I know pursuing a small claims court case like this would probably cost me more in the long run. I could spend the time and effort pursuing the case better by making money. We need to be figuring out what’s best for you and your boyfriend.

Edit: And before we get a lot of tree law enthusiasts in here just wanting some justice porn instead of thinking about the practicalities of the situation, an arborists costs money. A lawyer costs money. You might have to pay both of them up front for them to help you. This is a single tree.

Internet_Ghost

July 22, 2025

>My boyfriend says he thinks they should be held responsible for the whole tree now because they decided to do what they did..what do you think?

There’s a strong legal argument for that. There’s a strong legal argument that you’re owed the value of the tree (assuming the tree can’t be saved) and the removal. Your state allows for treble damages in cases like this. But from practical perspective though, is the cost, time, and effort going to be worth pursuing that legally if he doesn’t agree with you?

>What would you do?

That is not a great question to ask when you’re seeking legal advice. No one is you and your boyfriend but you and your boyfriend. Everyone else is going to have a different context from which to answer that question. For example, I’d probably just take the half. I’d be pissed. But I know pursuing a small claims court case like this would probably cost me more in the long run. I could spend the time and effort pursuing the case better by making money. We need to be figuring out what’s best for you and your boyfriend.

Edit: And before we get a lot of tree law enthusiasts in here just wanting some justice porn instead of thinking about the practicalities of the situation, an arborists costs money. A lawyer costs money. You might have to pay both of them up front for them to help you. This is a single tree.