Homeowner Seeks Compensation After Neighbor's Landlord Cuts Down Prized Holly Tree

On November 14, 2025, a homeowner in Ohio was stunned to discover that a mature, 20-year-old American holly tree in their yard had been cut down. The homeowner, who had lived in the house for the past 3 years, said the tree had never been an issue during that time.

Suspecting their neighbor's landlord might be responsible, the homeowner posted about the incident on the r/treelaw subreddit, seeking advice. One neighbor had reportedly seen a man cutting down the tree, but the homeowner had no way to definitively prove who was behind the illegal act.

Under Ohio law, cutting down a healthy tree on someone else's property without permission is a serious offense, punishable by a fourth-degree misdemeanor. The homeowner could also be entitled to treble, or three times, the damages in a civil court case, as mature trees can cost thousands of dollars to replace.

Despite the risks, it appears the neighbor's landlord or their maintenance worker went ahead and cut down the homeowner's prized holly tree. The homeowner has since contacted the landlord's company, who initially tried to deny the incident before admitting their employee was responsible. The homeowner is now pursuing compensation or the threat of pressing charges.