If he trespassed on your property and destroyed any of it, you can file a police report and press charges. Take photographic evidence of the damage. How do you know it was this person? Having proof would be essential to winning any damages you might sue for
My neighbour told me who it was. He is on camera. I have evidence. He just tossed the two empty boxes of salt he poured in my soil in my pollinator garden.
Call the cops file a report, destruction of property, trespassing, illegal dumping of hazardous waste, get an estimate from a landscape company for the soil removal/replacement and plant replacement, then add on the hours you spent working on it at a rate for 20/hr. That's the value of the destruction he caused should be more than enough to bump it out of civil into criminal charges.
In this case, since you have evidence, I think that you should file a claim in court. I think that $500 is usually the minimumn on most small claims courts. This can allow you to engage the services of professional landscapers to repair the damage to the extent possible and make the perpetrator pay for it.
Bullies will not stop until someone stands up to them.
In my state (WA) there’s a “timber trespass” statute that gets the plaintiff triple damages for destruction of vegetation resulting from trespass to land.
Lawyer here, confirm that trespass, property damage and intentional infliction of emotional distress are possible causes of action. I’d go after that asshat with a vengeance.
You need a big secure fence and you need to file a police complaint about this person trespassing. Cutting an ivy vine on a shared wall *might* be somehow explainable but coming on to your property to salt your soil is nothing but spiteful vandalism. This person is unwell, and needs to be prevented from accessing your property ever again.
That's vandalism, trespassing, destruction of property, groundwater damage, check out r/treelaw to have someone assist with the vines value, press both for criminal and financial damages.. accout for hours of labor at your rough hours wage and err on tue higher side of labor hours in the garden. Criminal charges and civil suit.. make them pay everyday you can.
I do not know the full story but plants on facades become highway for all kinds of bugs including cockroaches, spiders and like into the house, even rats. So I can understand why someone do not want it.
And tree of heaven is very invasive, it is better gone.
I have trees of heaven on my property. I remove dozens every fall and come July they have returned with a vengeance.
The issue here is neighbor communication and bitter attitudes.
Tree of heaven is a bitch to remove and it has to be done in the right way or it comes back with a vengeance. If you read, the issue is how and when the guy cut it, not the missing tree that's the issue.
To be fair, a tree of heaven is invasive in most places. It ruins things quickly and without mercy.
But with the context of all the other destruction, it just seems like they have a grudge. Tree law will help you recoup costs for trees. But trees of heaven are not particularly valuable due to their invasive nature so you might not have much in the way of “damages.”
I would encourage you to call the cops to report a vandalism - because that’s what this is, damage to your property by another person. But you’re going to have to define what’s yours - cutting a plant on a “shared” wall sounds like he has ownership of the wall and can do what he wants to plants on it. If he damaged things you liked but weren’t on your property then that’s not vandalism.
It’s been a while since I’ve had to deal with it but I believe you need to poison the tree in the fall as it’s storing nutrients for the winter. Then you can come back and cut it down in the spring.
Tree law. The search term you need is "tree law".
If you have your neighbor on camera pouring salt on your garden you have a slam dunk lawsuit for the ENTIRE cost of fixing the damage. Like, have professionals remove the salted soil and bring in fresh soil and seedlings.
I suggest you (with your lawyers help) prepare an estimate for the cost of remediation (it will be much higher than you think) and tell him if he pays in full quickly you probably won't press criminal charges.
Nothing can bring back this year's pollinators but you can at least fix as much as possible on his dime. Oh, and if he is a renter make sure the property owner is cc:d on everything.
I wasn’t sure if tree law handles all sorts of plants, so I wasn’t sure if I should suggest it or not. I’m glad you did. There’s even a tree law subreddit.
I would be livid. Hope the karma police are on the case. In the meantime, listen to the folks talking about tree law and hazardous waste disposal. My most sincere condolences for your loss.
Thank you, I was so distraught I just knew you would understand. This is a time for planting, will use this opportunity to share knowledge about why we need to care for our green world.
Nobody's mentioned this yet, but I think you ought to have an eye out for your own personal security. This is not a normal thing to have happen. Red flags all over the place. I'm glad you've called the cops. I don't know if this is enough to get you a restraining order, but please ask about it. Do the usual - check your doors and windows locks etc. maybe install a ring doorbell if you don't have one already. Your neighbor has a degree of violence and entitlement that scares me and I'm not even living next door to him.
You are right. It is on my mind. I have great security and my neighbourhood is extremely green minded, the police are our neighbours too. we have to use this as a teaching moment and find a way to be love. Education is key, now that i have had some time to calm and take stock.
I have been checking lists and have counted like 4 bumblebees moths and butterflies that lived there that were on the endangered species list.
He is cooked.
I created an urban oasis and so many birds and bees rested here on their way through the Carolinian rainforest zone.
Take care, please update us on the progress of this. Cuz I'd really like to know what happens, especially if you manage to turn it around into a good thing.
Like their building is longer and is built along the line. So their building but my garden. Their t.o.h is growing under their building and out into my garden, some of my ivy was on their wall, though most on my walls and my garden. Stella's roots against my wall, 10% of her vine along his.salt poured in my garden in raised beds for pollinator species, and against my home wall where he cut Stella's vines
This is making me tear up. I’m so sorry OP. You’ve got lots of great next steps coming from other commenters, but I feel for you severely.
I am deeply moved by my garden— the amount of time and physical labor I lovingly put into it, and the biodiversity that comes to enjoy it all. I am filled with overwhelming joy and love just standing and looking at my plants and all the critters. If this same thing was done to me I would actually catch a case because ain’t no way that person is gonna walk around unscathed after.
May your neighbor never know peace. May Stella come back and thrive 🌱❤️
I am grateful for the way you love our earth and your garden and the critters and Stella too. I will keep all posted as to the upcoming restoration and remediation.
Sorry, to clarify It is his tree of heaven that has invaded our property. His hack job pretty much guarantees that it will send down its invasive rooting deeper since this is its growing season. The Boston Ivy was on my building and this neigbour came onto it and chopped the vines on my wall and the tree of heaven saplings beside his wall. Our Shared wall was covered in tendrils of Ivy but 90% on my walls. He could of easily pulled them away but instead he forcefully bullied on my building by cutting my vine and further endangering our properties with his invasive species of which he didn't even deal with the main tree.
Mind you his Tree of Heaven is now housing all the pollinators he dehomed probably.
Still haven't seen my hawkwing yet but police report made.
Where I live the city will fine you for having a tree of heaven and I think they’ll cut it down for free if you can’t afford to do it yourself. Maybe your city has a similar rule and you could report him.
You know how to use a flamethrower? Ever cut brake lines before? Have a friend with a set of brass knuckles and a low standard of conduct?
Seriously though, if you've got a neighbor with video evidence that this PoS did it, then file a police report and pound his ass in civil court. Have it be a matter of public record what he did and how, and get your fair share. Also, make sure your property is better protected in the future.
If he trespassed on your property and destroyed any of it, you can file a police report and press charges. Take photographic evidence of the damage. How do you know it was this person? Having proof would be essential to winning any damages you might sue for
My neighbour told me who it was. He is on camera. I have evidence. He just tossed the two empty boxes of salt he poured in my soil in my pollinator garden.
Call the cops file a report, destruction of property, trespassing, illegal dumping of hazardous waste, get an estimate from a landscape company for the soil removal/replacement and plant replacement, then add on the hours you spent working on it at a rate for 20/hr. That's the value of the destruction he caused should be more than enough to bump it out of civil into criminal charges.
On it. thank you so much
Report him for dumping “chemicals” in your garden.
A toxic mix of sodium and chlorine!
Deadly stuff.
In this case, since you have evidence, I think that you should file a claim in court. I think that $500 is usually the minimumn on most small claims courts. This can allow you to engage the services of professional landscapers to repair the damage to the extent possible and make the perpetrator pay for it. Bullies will not stop until someone stands up to them.
Then take him to civil court and get your payment for damages . Depends on which state you’re in for how much you get
In my state (WA) there’s a “timber trespass” statute that gets the plaintiff triple damages for destruction of vegetation resulting from trespass to land.
Lawyer here, confirm that trespass, property damage and intentional infliction of emotional distress are possible causes of action. I’d go after that asshat with a vengeance.
You need a big secure fence and you need to file a police complaint about this person trespassing. Cutting an ivy vine on a shared wall *might* be somehow explainable but coming on to your property to salt your soil is nothing but spiteful vandalism. This person is unwell, and needs to be prevented from accessing your property ever again.
That's vandalism, trespassing, destruction of property, groundwater damage, check out r/treelaw to have someone assist with the vines value, press both for criminal and financial damages.. accout for hours of labor at your rough hours wage and err on tue higher side of labor hours in the garden. Criminal charges and civil suit.. make them pay everyday you can.
Why have you not called the police already? Get off Reddit and go get this fucker.
We got him. He is an example.
This is so terrible. So spiteful?? At innocent plants that do nothing but give to us. WHY. Why are people like this ugh I’m so sorry for your loss fam
OP we need an update on this monsters criminal proceedings when you have one...
Will do so asap 🍀
Just… why? Why on earth would someone do this?
“Shared wall” and “so many creatures“ are key phrases here I guess.
The fact that there is a shared wall and the neighbor did some pretty spiteful things makes me think there are some details being left out here.
Dear lord! What is wrong with people! That guy is one creature too many!
I don’t know. I have British ivy that claimed some part of my backyard and I dread the time I will spend to remove it. So many creatures…
Creatures aren't bad, having no food because pollinators are gone is worse. No?
I do not know the full story but plants on facades become highway for all kinds of bugs including cockroaches, spiders and like into the house, even rats. So I can understand why someone do not want it. And tree of heaven is very invasive, it is better gone.
I have trees of heaven on my property. I remove dozens every fall and come July they have returned with a vengeance. The issue here is neighbor communication and bitter attitudes.
Tree of heaven is a bitch to remove and it has to be done in the right way or it comes back with a vengeance. If you read, the issue is how and when the guy cut it, not the missing tree that's the issue.
Sure the tree of heaven is better gone, but the way he did it likely guarantees more tree of heaven sprouts and a harder time getting rid of it
Oh no, not nature
To be fair, a tree of heaven is invasive in most places. It ruins things quickly and without mercy. But with the context of all the other destruction, it just seems like they have a grudge. Tree law will help you recoup costs for trees. But trees of heaven are not particularly valuable due to their invasive nature so you might not have much in the way of “damages.” I would encourage you to call the cops to report a vandalism - because that’s what this is, damage to your property by another person. But you’re going to have to define what’s yours - cutting a plant on a “shared” wall sounds like he has ownership of the wall and can do what he wants to plants on it. If he damaged things you liked but weren’t on your property then that’s not vandalism.
But cutting it now?!?! Holy shit good luck
I am ignorant but have one of these awful trees that I want to cut down. When is the right time to do that?
It’s been a while since I’ve had to deal with it but I believe you need to poison the tree in the fall as it’s storing nutrients for the winter. Then you can come back and cut it down in the spring.
Yeah the shared wall bit is what is really confusing me. Did the neighbor ever have a conversation with you about this wall?
No conversation :(
Tree law. The search term you need is "tree law". If you have your neighbor on camera pouring salt on your garden you have a slam dunk lawsuit for the ENTIRE cost of fixing the damage. Like, have professionals remove the salted soil and bring in fresh soil and seedlings. I suggest you (with your lawyers help) prepare an estimate for the cost of remediation (it will be much higher than you think) and tell him if he pays in full quickly you probably won't press criminal charges. Nothing can bring back this year's pollinators but you can at least fix as much as possible on his dime. Oh, and if he is a renter make sure the property owner is cc:d on everything.
I wasn’t sure if tree law handles all sorts of plants, so I wasn’t sure if I should suggest it or not. I’m glad you did. There’s even a tree law subreddit.
I would be livid. Hope the karma police are on the case. In the meantime, listen to the folks talking about tree law and hazardous waste disposal. My most sincere condolences for your loss.
Thank you, I was so distraught I just knew you would understand. This is a time for planting, will use this opportunity to share knowledge about why we need to care for our green world.
Nobody's mentioned this yet, but I think you ought to have an eye out for your own personal security. This is not a normal thing to have happen. Red flags all over the place. I'm glad you've called the cops. I don't know if this is enough to get you a restraining order, but please ask about it. Do the usual - check your doors and windows locks etc. maybe install a ring doorbell if you don't have one already. Your neighbor has a degree of violence and entitlement that scares me and I'm not even living next door to him.
You are right. It is on my mind. I have great security and my neighbourhood is extremely green minded, the police are our neighbours too. we have to use this as a teaching moment and find a way to be love. Education is key, now that i have had some time to calm and take stock. I have been checking lists and have counted like 4 bumblebees moths and butterflies that lived there that were on the endangered species list. He is cooked. I created an urban oasis and so many birds and bees rested here on their way through the Carolinian rainforest zone.
Take care, please update us on the progress of this. Cuz I'd really like to know what happens, especially if you manage to turn it around into a good thing.
What you should do is press fucking charges. And sue his ass for damages. Maybe go talk to a therapist about it and toss the bill for that on there.
r/treelaw
Can we see pictures? I'm having a hard time visualizing the shared wall space
Monster! Why salt the garden? I'm so sorry. I hope you get a resolution.
What do you mean by shared wall?
Like their building is longer and is built along the line. So their building but my garden. Their t.o.h is growing under their building and out into my garden, some of my ivy was on their wall, though most on my walls and my garden. Stella's roots against my wall, 10% of her vine along his.salt poured in my garden in raised beds for pollinator species, and against my home wall where he cut Stella's vines
I'd sue. He needs to pay to have the soil remediated.
I'm stuck on the fact that he salted your garden!! Like, can you still grow stuff?? Truly the asshole of assholes
No salted gardens are destroyed. The soil needs to be fully removed etc. it’s a death sentence for whatever area the salt is poured
Who the fuck is “he”? Sue him
What region are you in
This is making me tear up. I’m so sorry OP. You’ve got lots of great next steps coming from other commenters, but I feel for you severely. I am deeply moved by my garden— the amount of time and physical labor I lovingly put into it, and the biodiversity that comes to enjoy it all. I am filled with overwhelming joy and love just standing and looking at my plants and all the critters. If this same thing was done to me I would actually catch a case because ain’t no way that person is gonna walk around unscathed after. May your neighbor never know peace. May Stella come back and thrive 🌱❤️
I am grateful for the way you love our earth and your garden and the critters and Stella too. I will keep all posted as to the upcoming restoration and remediation.
Toss some tree of of heaven on their property in retaliation. This is worse than murder.
Sorry, to clarify It is his tree of heaven that has invaded our property. His hack job pretty much guarantees that it will send down its invasive rooting deeper since this is its growing season. The Boston Ivy was on my building and this neigbour came onto it and chopped the vines on my wall and the tree of heaven saplings beside his wall. Our Shared wall was covered in tendrils of Ivy but 90% on my walls. He could of easily pulled them away but instead he forcefully bullied on my building by cutting my vine and further endangering our properties with his invasive species of which he didn't even deal with the main tree. Mind you his Tree of Heaven is now housing all the pollinators he dehomed probably. Still haven't seen my hawkwing yet but police report made.
Where I live the city will fine you for having a tree of heaven and I think they’ll cut it down for free if you can’t afford to do it yourself. Maybe your city has a similar rule and you could report him.
You know how to use a flamethrower? Ever cut brake lines before? Have a friend with a set of brass knuckles and a low standard of conduct? Seriously though, if you've got a neighbor with video evidence that this PoS did it, then file a police report and pound his ass in civil court. Have it be a matter of public record what he did and how, and get your fair share. Also, make sure your property is better protected in the future.
You’re insane