Minnesota homeowner discovers neighbor trespassed onto their property, removed a handcrafted natural fence, and flattened dozens of young trees: 'He can see straight into our home now'

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Jul 28, 2026 2:30 PM EDT

Years of careful work can disappear in a single afternoon…

Minnesota couple says all that effort was undone when a neighbor allegedly crossed onto their property, dismantled their handcrafted hedge, crushed more than 20 young willow trees, and cleared part of their woods with heavy equipment. Now they're wondering what legal options they have after years of work were wiped out in what they believe was an act of blatant trespassing.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read this story. It's crazy to me how some people can feel entitled to do whatever they want, without raising a question or even hesitating about whether the call is the right one. And the worst part is that now the property is not secured and hidden, so there is no privacy, and everyone can stare through the windows, making the homeowners unsafe.

I would definitely take this matter into my own hands and start filing a police report. There's no way that I would let this "slip," and I would demand them for the full reimbursement for their damages and ask them to replant all the trees and every plant that was a part of the natural fence. Trespassing and damaging your neighbor's property is illegal in every state, so they should do something about this and find a solution as soon as possible.

Also, for the future, the best thing they can do is to have a bigger fence with those neighbors, and although natural fences look good and are safe, a stiffer and stronger one can be the solution to keep them apart and as far away as possible. Respecting each property boundary is fundamental, as well as having a good relationship with the neighbors. That being said, if there's a case where nobody respects the other, filing a report is the way to go.

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  • Homeowners tending a backyard garden, illustrating the time and care that goes into maintaining a private outdoor space.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    Homeowners tending a backyard garden, illustrating the time and care that goes into maintaining a private outdoor space.

    The people pictured are models and are not connected to the events described.

  • We live in a wooded area, we have chickens, we have predators. We've spent several years building up a nice de d hedge, one storm at a time. The neighbors live a few acres away, but have a walking path on the property line offers a clear view through the large patio door into our kitchen/living room.
    via dreadhead86
  • Because of those two factors, we've been slowly building a de d hedge about a foot from the property line. It's visually appealing, and we've been mindful on stacking - husband is a tree enthusiast to say the least, and he puts his heart into these type of things.
    via dreadhead86
  • It was 4-5 feet tall, and we were just starting to get a nice screen. He took it upon himself to haul most of it away the other day, and he smashed down the rest. Ironically, he didn't touch it further down the property, where he can't see into our home.
    via dreadhead86
  • On his daily walks, him and his wife stare into our windows. There are 2 acres of dense woods and crop field between our property line and his house, he wouldn't be able to see our fence with binoculars.
    via dreadhead86
  • We had planted 20-30 propagated willows from other clusters on our property on our side of the hedge, and flattened every one of them.
    via dreadhead86
  • On the back corner of our lot, he pushed in and then scooped out roughly a 30' x 40' foot chunk of our woods. Right next to the property marker.
    via dreadhead86
  • It's been flattened down to the black dirt with big ruts, and he hit some of our mature trees. Most of our natural fence and a chunk of our woods now lie in a massive pile on his side.
    via dreadhead86
  • This will take a really long time to build back up, likely years. Any recourse? The property is staked on both end with the white poles as shown.
    via dreadhead86
  • View of the damaged property line where the natural privacy barrier and wooded area were cleared.
    via via u/dreadhead86

    View of the damaged property line where the natural privacy barrier and wooded area were cleared.

  • _gadget_girl I would start with filing a police report.
    via dreadhead86
  • Inner Pipe6540 File a police report contact a lawyer that specializes in property rights
    via dreadhead86
  • CherrySprite95 Minnesota takes timber trespass pretty seriously. Even if they were saplings, he doesn't get to decide what's okay to remove from someone else's property. I'd consult an attorney.
    via dreadhead86
  • Realistic-Rate-8831 Oh no! I'd be ped. If he removed trees and hedges that are on your property you need to sue and he will have to pay for you to replace all those trees and hedges. You will need to get a survey to prove it is your property. Some people have no consideration for others. That is terrible. I also love greenery, trees, shrubs, plants, etc. I'm so sorry this happened to you.
    via dreadhead86
  • Prestigious_Rent_409 Did you go ask him why he did it? I'd start with trail cams.
    via dreadhead86
  • Mindless Browsing 15 Call the police. Call a lawyer. Of the de d trees are on his property it's proof of the trespass, destruction and theft.
    via dreadhead86
  • Natural privacy fence covered with greenery, representing the type of living barrier the homeowners spent years creating.
    via Unsplash+ (via Annie Spratt)

    Natural privacy fence covered with greenery, representing the type of living barrier the homeowners spent years creating.

    This image is an artistic representation and does not show the actual property involved in the story.

  • Mellotime66 File a police report first. Take as much video and pictures as you can. Hopefully you have pictures before. Try to get any receipts for the tress and anything else you used.
    via dreadhead86
  • cbkarma First make sure there is no dispute where the property line is. Then rebuild it exactly where it was. Contact local tree services and have them deliver non salvageable wood debris to your property. Hire a dozer or rent a bobcat and stack it higher than it was before. Cheaper than a lawyer.
    via dreadhead86
  • bjahn88 First I'd make absolutely sure it's on your property.
    via dreadhead86

  • No matter the complexity of this situation, we can all learn from this how important it is to respect others' boundaries. In this case, we're talking about a fence, someone else's privacy, and their home, and crossing those lines without permission can quickly turn an ordinary disagreement into a serious dispute.

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neighbors trees natural fence tree law Minnesota Bad Neighbor
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