[nickcarraway]

[Red Badger]

Thou shalt not knock down the king’s trees........ even if they are on your own property..................

[GreyFriar]

The person should just claim he is an atheist and felt threated by the Judeo-Christian theology of the Joshua trees.

[Zathras]

The builder should know that.

[refreshed]

Private property is not a thing. It ought to be.

[Reno89519]

Actions have consequences. As the trees were on private property, did the property owners know the laws and protection status when they bought the property? Was it noted when they got building permits? And, regarding those, did they include removal of the trees? I bet they buried them because they knew it was wrong to dig them up, surprised they did this during the day.

[Bullish]

Those frikkin’ ugly trees are everywhere out there. They don’t need any protection. This is so dumb.

[the_Watchman]

Joshua trees are far from being endangered. I can see a dozen from my back window in Anthem, Arizona. They are on the state land over the fence.

I also noted that they were all along the Beeline highway on the east side of Phoenix on our drive to Payson, yesterday.

[Sacajaweau]

https://planning.lacounty.gov/site/sea/2020/11/03/joshua-trees-protection/

[discostu]

Should have done their homework. These protected plants usually sell really well. They probably could have gotten paid way more than the fine to have them taken away. My boss once had a licensed saguaro mover just pull up and offer him 6 grand for the saguaro in his front yard. He said yes, boom.

[Jonny7797]

One of many stupid laws in CA. Too bad, so sad.

[ryderann]

Looks like Spanish Bayonet.

[yesthatjallen]

I never understood this.

A developer sees a beautiful, scenic spot that has trees and then cuts down the trees.

I don't get it.

[bgill]

Contractors should know the law. No excuse.

[Fiji Hill]

Taking a western Joshua tree became a criminal act in September 2020, when the state Fish & Wildlife Commission made the tree a candidate for endangered or threatened species protections, Foy said.

Why are they considered an endangered species? There are millions of them out in the desert.

[Mathews]

It was probably cheaper to pay the fine than to go through the system to get a permit to move or cut down the trees.

[zeugma]

They probably figured that $18k was fine, as log as they could develop their land. My tagline also applies, as usual.

[\/\/ayne]

Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho, by Delta Rhythm Boys (1939)

[Mariner]

I don’t know why anyone would do this.

They were certain to know the law on it because they tried to hide it.

Yes, it is a criminal act.

Do not be surprised if they purchases the property after the restrictions were implemented.

They should have been fined the full $4,100 per tree.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

It's never the CRIME that gets you in trouble; it's the nosy neighbor!

[CodeToad]

Illegal aliens can destroy anything they want in that area.