Neighbor butchered the tree

[Yulia Getmanenko]

Hello,
We have a tree that was planted close to the property line. Some of the branches were reaching the neighbor's property, and they trimmed the branches often reaching beyond their property line. Today, the neighbor climbed over the fence and butchered the tree. I don't know if he planned to cut it down completely. I stepped outside and noticed that most branches were already cut down and confronted the neighbor. I called the police and have a case open. The tree (Butterfly Cassia) was blooming, and in addition to decorative value it supported the wildlife as it serves as a host for butterflies. I reached out to tree service provider to get an arborist assessment to the tree damage. What is the best way to proceed with this case? Thank you.

 

[Just Blue]

Hello,
We have a tree that was planted close to the property line. Some of the branches were reaching the neighbor's property, and they trimmed the branches often reaching beyond their property line. Today, the neighbor climbed over the fence and butchered the tree. I don't know if he planned to cut it down completely. I stepped outside and noticed that most branches were already cut down and confronted the neighbor. I called the police and have a case open. The tree (Butterfly Cassia) was blooming, and in addition to decorative value it supported the wildlife as it serves as a host for butterflies. I reached out to tree service provider to get an arborist assessment to the tree damage. What is the best way to proceed with this case? Thank you.

What State?

 

[quincy]

Hello,
We have a tree that was planted close to the property line. Some of the branches were reaching the neighbor's property, and they trimmed the branches often reaching beyond their property line. Today, the neighbor climbed over the fence and butchered the tree. I don't know if he planned to cut it down completely. I stepped outside and noticed that most branches were already cut down and confronted the neighbor. I called the police and have a case open. The tree (Butterfly Cassia) was blooming, and in addition to decorative value it supported the wildlife as it serves as a host for butterflies. I reached out to tree service provider to get an arborist assessment to the tree damage. What is the best way to proceed with this case? Thank you.

You made some good first steps by speaking to the neighbor, filing a report with the police, and contacting an arborist for a professional opinion. I recommend you also contact your homeowners insurance company. Tree damage is generally covered.

 

[Yulia Getmanenko]

What State?

Florida

 

[quincy]

Florida

Thank you for providing your state name, Yulia.

The arborist should be able to tell you if your tree can recover from your neighbor’s butchering of it, and the arborist also could give you an estimated cost of replacement, for insurance purposes and for use if you find you must sue your neighbor.

 

[adjusterjack]

I reached out to tree service provider to get an arborist assessment to the tree damage

What did he say after he inspected the tree?

Did he inspect the tree?

If he hasn't inspected the tree and/or given you a written report as to its condition and chance of recovery then your question about the best way to proceed is premature.

By the way, I suggest you DON'T call your insurance company just yet. Your policy limits you to $500 per tree for the vandalism damage. It would be a bad idea to have that kind of small claim on your insurance record with the current insurance crisis in Florida.

If you have to, it's best to sue him in small claims court and let him pay for it.

 

[Yulia Getmanenko]

What did he say after he inspected the tree?

Did he inspect the tree?

If he hasn't inspected the tree and/or given you a written report as to its condition and chance of recovery then your question about the best way to proceed is premature.

By the way, I suggest you DON'T call your insurance company just yet. Your policy limits you to $500 per tree for the vandalism damage. It would be a bad idea to have that kind of small claim on your insurance record with the current insurance crisis in Florida.

If you have to, it's best to sue him in small claims court and let him pay for it.

What did he say after he inspected the tree?

Did he inspect the tree?

If he hasn't inspected the tree and/or given you a written report as to its condition and chance of recovery then your question about the best way to proceed is premature.

By the way, I suggest you DON'T call your insurance company just yet. Your policy limits you to $500 per tree for the vandalism damage. It would be a bad idea to have that kind of small claim on your insurance record with the current insurance crisis in Florida.

If you have to, it's best to sue him in small claims court and let him pay for it.

This all happened less than 12 hours ago on Saturday. I have not heard from the tree service company yet.

 

[quincy]

This all happened less than 12 hours ago on Saturday. I have not heard from the tree service company yet.

With luck, your neighbor did not cause permanent damage to the tree. It is too bad that you have a neighbor who does not appear to appreciate the value of the tree, beyond its mere monetary value.

Good luck.

 

[adjusterjack]

It is too bad that you have a neighbor who does not appear to appreciate the value of the tree, beyond its mere monetary value.

Report that Once-ler to the Lorax. He speaks for the trees.

 

[quincy]

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

The Lorax, banned by a school district at one time for its negative portrayal of the logging industry, is my favorite Seuss book. That, and Horton Hears a Who. Theodore Geisel was a genius at educating kids.

 

[adjusterjack]

I also liked "I Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street" and "On Beyond Zebra."

 

[quincy]

I also liked "I Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street" and "On Beyond Zebra."

I collect banned books and have included in my collection a few Seuss books that were written and illustrated by Geisel early in his career. These books (including the ones you like) were not exactly banned, but “Dr. Seuss Enterprises” decided to no longer publish them because some of the text and the images are considered offensive and racially insensitive today. If you can ignore the offensive/insensitive parts, the books are good.

 

[adjusterjack]

I still have my childhood copy of Little Black Sambo, published by Golden Books in the 1940s.

 

[quincy]

I still have my childhood copy of Little Black Sambo, published by Golden Books in the 1940s.

That book has an interesting history.

Unlike the Seuss books, Little Black Sambo is still being published but, like the Seuss books, it has been the illustrations and character names rather than the stories that have been controversial.

edit to add:
I apologize, Yulia, for the detour away from your Butterfly Cassia tree concerns.

 

[AlmostThere]

Hello,
We have a tree that was planted close to the property line. Some of the branches were reaching the neighbor's property, and they trimmed the branches often reaching beyond their property line. Today, the neighbor climbed over the fence and butchered the tree. I don't know if he planned to cut it down completely. I stepped outside and noticed that most branches were already cut down and confronted the neighbor. I called the police and have a case open. The tree (Butterfly Cassia) was blooming, and in addition to decorative value it supported the wildlife as it serves as a host for butterflies. I reached out to tree service provider to get an arborist assessment to the tree damage. What is the best way to proceed with this case? Thank you.

Can you provide some clarity on "butchered the tree?" Did he only cut branches that would encorach on his property?

How big was/is the Butterfly Cassia. The varieties I see around my area are more of a shrub than a tree.

Since you do not know if the neighbor intended to cut down the tree rather than encroach branches, I am guessing you did not have a calm conversation. Perhaps that would be a start. Find out the issue, and try to come to a resolution. Maybe you can move the problem tree or your neighbor can buy a new tree or two to plant somewhere else on your property.