As one homeowner prepares to file a lawsuit, their neighbors plot to destroy their banana trees.
It happens all the time: An entitled neighbor thinks a tree is blocking their view or dropping too many leaves on their lawn. They wait until the other homeowner leaves before cutting down the trees or hiring a company to cut them down and claim the trees as theirs. The real owners returned home to find that a valuable feature of their yard that had been cultivated for decades was gone in an instant.
The homeowner in Brevard County, Florida, sought guidance on r/legaladvice, a US-based Reddit subreddit that answers legal questions.
“The trees are located on the corners of her yard, our yard, and HOA-owned property,” they explained. “She had the trees cleared on her property a month ago; everything was fine, it was her yard. We went out and confirmed the property lines with her and the guy who was cutting the trees and said don’t touch anything on our property.”
Sadly, Reddit users said this only lasted until the day they left. “Fast forward to today, he’s back, cutting down 15 of our 20 banana trees and spreading salt on the roots and new shoots, which will kill the roots before we can stop them,” they said.
Not only does cutting down trees reduce the value of a homeowner’s property, it also deprives them of the shade the trees provide and the clean air they produce. Also, putting salt on the ground would make it difficult to grow anything there, and could also contaminate the freshwater lake that the original poster said is located next to their home.
According to the homeowner, neighbors simply do not believe the trees are on the homeowner’s property, despite a recent investigation. “We literally said ‘you need to replace those trees’ and she said ‘no’ and laughed,” the original poster added in the comments.
As commenters point out, the path forward is clear. “Report trespassing and vandalism to the police,” one user simply said.
Another user suggested calling the local water management district and asking about salt that might harm local wildlife.
Join our free newsletter for easy tips Save more, Reduce wasteand help yourself And help the planet at the same time.
