New Jersey homeowner suspects neighbor trimmed their special family tree without permission: 'I am 99% sure'

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  • Mom and daughter sit in special family tree together.
  • Neighbor cut my tree

    Hey r/treelaw, I am in need of help or to be pointed to the right people.
  • Someone cut my tree in my backyard. It was not going over the fence, my husband cuts any branches that grow over the fence.
  • I am 99% sure it was my back neighbor as he has complained about the tree before (it apparently "blocks his view").
  • Pictures 1-4 were taken Sunday night after I looked out my window and saw the tree down.
  • The rest were taken the next day to show where the tree is in relation to the fence, his house, and the "view".
  • Poor tree!

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  • So that's a big difference

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  • Today we had a licensed tree expert come out to file a report that the tree was cut, most like a chainsaw the guy said, and that it was cut from over the fence.
  • I have time stamped video that shows my daughter in the backyard at 3:50pm and then us going into the backyard at 8pm.
  • Hmm... mysterious

    The camera only records when it is triggered by someone walking into the backyard on the concrete.
  • Movement near the fence doesn't trigger the camera so I don't have video of the tree being cut.
  • We planted that tree when my daughter was baby, after moving here so she can grow up with the tree so all of us are very sad.
  • The tree company quoted us $700 to remove the tree and grind the stump or we could have them cut down the part that fell ($500) and try to see of the tree will survive.
  • I am now planning to plant a Northern Red Oak in the middle of backyard. Can I sue him for damages, tree removal, and the cost of replacing the tree?
  • I live in Union County, NJ
  • Tipitina62 Please pay attention to all the really good advice here. Personally, I am petty enough to suggest that in addition to using every legal remedy at your disposal you buy some sun shades which you can string up in your yard for privacy and, well, shade.
  • snakegirl210 Original Poster's Reply Planning on planting a Red Oak in the middle of my backyard. Fast growing, huge tree, will block his "view" Also acorns and leaves falling in autumn sounds nice
  • scentofcitrus Record your interaction if you run into him while outside or speak on the phone. NJ is a single consent state so you don't need to notify him that you're recording. Definitely ask neighbors for video footage. Make note of who has cameras (including the suspected cutter). File a police report with whatever information you have.
  • Whoa!

    snakegirl210 Original Poster's Reply After three attempts, it appears he is avoiding me by not coming to the door lol
  • This person had a great point! Where is the sawdust?

    AdDapper4427 Not sure I can agree with reaching over the fence. The angle of the cut is not steep enough for reaching over that distance and possibly even using the chainsaw one handed. Where is the sawdust? That might help pinpoint the direction the saw was working.
  • snakegirl210 Original Poster's Reply Saw dust is mostly behind and to the side of the tree. The guy who looked at it said that the saw actually hit the trunk that is still standing and showed us the nick
  • Tweeks Turbos Can you prove who cut the tree?
  • The fact that the cameras didn't capture anything doesn't bode well, does it?

    snakegirl210 Original Poster's Reply Not yet. I am going to ask the back neighbor if someone was wrong, why he felt he needed to cut the tree and see what he says
  • mikeyj198 unless you have proof it was the neighbor i don't see a path to restitution. maybe text him and ask why he cut your tree down and see if he takes the bat. fwiw that tree could be removed with hand tools in a matter of 30 minutes, stump could've dug out and might take another 30-45 minutes. Two that tree company to pound sand.
  • Mom and daughter stand alongside their family tree.

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