Settlement: Couple to pay $150,000 for tree cutting

seattlepi.nwsource.com ^ | Saturday, June 28, 2003 · Last updated 7:26 p.m. PT | AP

[Bluntpoint]

"One year at Christmas when I was first married and penniless, I climbed a highway road-cut and sawed down a Charlie Brown Christmas tree that was on State land."

I know you did. You are in my file.

[steplock]

***Wilson said he didn't expect to see King County prosecutors file criminal charges -- particularly because they didn't after federal appeals court Judge Jerome Farris was accused of having his gardener chop down 120 trees in Seattle's Colman Park.***

I thought that seattle was home of the greenies? But I guess there as well as most commie areas, some greenies are just more greenie than others?

Is there some relationship between these idiots and the federal judge (9th circus court too, I bet!)

It seems a bit odd...

[Normal4me]

Yeah, you are right. I just hate it when the Gov. makes a financial example out of something like this. Do you think they will use the fine money for the trees? Or will they buy a new police car and throw a gay day parade? ;-)

[Bluntpoint]

I hope they use the money to plant fake, silver christmas trees in from of the tree cutters' house.

[jackbill]

I believe that we had a similar problem here in MD a few years back. Some rich government bureaucrat or lobbyist cut down something like 100 trees on state or federal land in Potomac, MD (DC suburb), so that he could have a view of the Potomac river. Never did hear the outcome.

[spectre]

Sorry to read about your problem.

Am wondering if your homeowners insurance wouldn't cover it? It was an "accident"..

Maybe you could get an "estimate" to replace the trees, of course, they won't be as BIG as the ones you cut down, but nevertheless it would seem to be a REASONABLE settlement, unless they just wanted to buy a new Lexus..sw

[farmfriend]

I assume you've had a surveyer out.

[Bluntpoint]

"REASONABLE settlement"

Sorry. Can't do. Lawyers already involved. Extortion imminent.

[HairOfTheDog]

It doesn't really matter... It is a fine and restitution and deterrent to other to not vadalize property that doesn't belong to you. Mature trees are not replaceable in the short term. They are 50 years in the making.

[Bluntpoint]

Next time try cutting down 10 attorneys. Your neighbors will pay you for solving the fly and odor problem.

[Old Professer]

Same thing in California; amazing what you can learn from Judge Wapner.

[Old Professer]

One year, a dumb-ass friend of mine and his brother went shooting in the woods off the pass on the "Grapevine", the name given to I-5 at the northern limits of Los Angeles County where it heads downhill into the San Joaquin Valley and ended up shooting-down a top of a fir tree with a 12ga. and brought it back to the Valley for a Christmas tree.

[Politically Correct]

Maybe you could get an "estimate" to replace the trees, of course, they won't be as BIG as the ones you cut down, but nevertheless it would seem to be a REASONABLE settlement, unless they just wanted to buy a new Lexus..sw

You've ignored the value of the lumber. If those happened to be 100yr old cherry trees the doctor might be entitled to $100,000. Pine is of course worth a lot less. Then of course there's the esthetic value, if for instance those particular trees could be seen from his house.

[yankeedame]

..I believe that we had a similar problem here in MD a few years back. Some rich government bureaucrat or lobbyist cut down something like 100 trees on state or federal land in Potomac, MD (DC suburb), so that he could have a view of the Potomac river. Never did hear the outcome

Well, hey, that's what friends are for,right? I mean a few phone calls and...

[bicycle thug]

A 150 year old plus Tartarian cherry tree in Eugene, Oeoregon's rose garden along the Willamentte River. It was allegedly planted by city founder and namesake, Eugene Skinner.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

ALWAYS survey before cutting trees. Illicit tree cutting on your neighbor's land has been a big deal for the entirety of American history.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

while destroying public property is bad. This penalty is outrageous 150,000 dollars for a bunch of trees their tax dollars helped plant. I would tell the king county prosecuters (who I am sure are raging enviro liberals) to go pound sand!

[Bluntpoint]

Nice tree. Problem is: I can't see whats behind it. There is no place like home... Homelite that is. Ning...ning...ning...ning. Crash.

[bicycle thug]

Interestingly enough, the Rotory club paid for a huge steel tunnel for rose bushes to climb on behind the tree in this picture. They were going to cut down two cedars at the other end and plant a clone to this tree - it's planned replacement - when a local tree sitter thwarted their plans by waiting them out until they decided to move the planting site for the new tree to the grounds by the replica of Eugene Skinner's cabin.

I think they were intimidated somewhat by the sitter as he was the one nearly killed in a fall from a tree several years by the Nike Store downtown. But who knows.

[Bluntpoint]

Tree sitters... they taste kinda like chicken.