Entitled neighbor sneakily plants trees on homeowner's property, then demands compensation when homeowner removes them: ‘[They] thought it would improve their view’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Mar 28, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

If there's one thing homeowners don't play around with, it's their property lines (and what goes on their property). If someone takes it upon themselves to start parking in a homeowner's driveway, you bet the homeowner is calling a tow truck ASAP. As they should, though. Too often these days, folks believe they're entitled to anything they want, and this often leads to a serious widespread case of entitlement that will be passed down from generation to generation. To even the score, folks who are victims of entitled people must rise to the occasion and combat their entitled ways—then share it with the rest of us because, well, it's entertaining.

The homeowner in this next story uproots the freshly-planted trees that were on their property, only to find out their neighbors had planted them there because they wanted a better "view" from their window. So, instead of asking for permission, they planted the trees without asking and now dare to demand the homeowner compensate them for the trees lost. Nice try. Scroll to read.

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  • This homeowner uprooted the trees not only because they were put there without their permission but also because the trees would have wilted due to no proper irrigation system being present near them.

  • "This should be a lesson that it's never ok to make modifications to someone else's property without permission.”
    via Ahmed For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "Removed a handful of trees that were planted on our property without permission. Now the neighbor says we owe them compensation."

    This is California. We noticed six freshly planted trees on our property in a location directly under utility lines and where there is no access to
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • irrigation. We had no idea who planted them and were quite annoyed (and also fascinated) that someone felt entitled to do this without our permission. We removed the trees.
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • The mystery culprit revealed themselves soon after the trees disappeared. Turns out it was one of our neighbors from across the street, who
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • apparently thought it would improve their view to have a row of cedars across the street from them on our property. They demanded
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • their trees back, but the trees were already at the bottom of a very large and very full dumpster by then, so we told them that wasn't possible.
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • Cheezburger Image 10486912000
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "Now they are demanding monetary compensation..."

    Now they are demanding monetary compensation for the trees, which is just wild to me. In my mind, what they did is in the vein of illegal
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • dumping, and this should be a lesson that it's never ok to make modifications to someone else's property without permission. But they
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • are insisting that what we did is stealing and/or property damage, and they are holding firm that we owe them for the amount they paid for the
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • amount they paid for the trees. Do they have a leg to stand on here? Knowledgeable insight and advice appreciated!
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • SXTY82 Sue them for the refurbishment of your land which was necessary after they trespassed and planted trees without permission.
    via SXTY82
  • Honestly405 If it's your property then no they don't deserve compensation. Legally they are guilty of trespassing and willful destruction of property.
    via Honestly405
  • fencepost_ajm "Thank you for admitting to the vandalism of our property, we weren't sure who'd had the gall to come in and dig big holes directly under the power lines. We'll have you served with the official notice to stay off our property."
    via fencepost_ajm
  • RespectableBloke6 Well, maybe off topic but prepare for that neighbor to never stop being a problem. Going across the street to plant trees on your property is a gigantic red flag. And anybody who would do something like that will not stop there. Get security cameras ASAP. Good luck, OP.
    via RespectableBloke6*
  • Acceptable_Rice Your neighbor is insane. Give him written notice that he is banned from your property and file for a restraining order. Get a camera on a loop.
    via Acceptable_Rice
  • Prior-Cattle621 Tell them they abandoned their property on your land and since you had no idea who the owner was you disposed of the abandoned property. Your neighbor is a trip. Be careful.
    via Prior-Cattle621
  • An_Atomic_Rainbow Hi, all. I appreciate the comments verifying that I'm not the crazy one! In addition to the obvious trespass/permission issue, it was only a matter of time before the trees either did from lack of water due to no irrigation (unless
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • they were planning on sneaking buckets all summer in the dark of the night) or the utility company removed them for being right under the lines. I can't follow the train of thought that lead this guy to thinking this was a good idea...
    via An_Atomic_Rainbow
  • laurabun136 Planting trees on your property so he can look at them from his yard. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah! !!
    via laurabun136
  • taisynn Time to trespass and perhaps call the city. They can't be just making renovations to anyone else's property other than their own.
    via taisynn

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neighbors tree law neighborhood neighborhood-drama bad neighbors neighborhood-stories reddit story terrible neighbors entitled property reddit thread Bad Neighbor Reddit entitled people neighbor
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