Tree sabotage

[Treecareconcept]

Any one ever have a tree you just trimmed sabotaged?
I trimmed a couple of big oaks in June. Trees looked great. I drove by the trees last week and one of the trees is almost completely dead! I stopped by today and inspected the declining tree and found someone had punched approx 1/8" holes around the base of this tree. I'm not sure if this tree has been poisoned (it sure looks like it) and it has literally died in about a week.
The wife thinks it could be a competitor trying to make me look bad.
I think the neighbor might be responsible...wouldn't be the first time a neighbor killed a tree they didn't like.

 

[rbtree]

Sad sad sad....It is deplorable what some idiots will do....doubt that it was another tree guy....is there a reason for some neighbor to hate he trees? leaves falling in his yard, blcoking a view? etc etc...

 

[Dadatwins]

Could the homeowner have tried some home remedy fertilizer after your pruning? Is Oak wilt in your area? For the tree to decline so quickly after pruning something went wrong.

 

[046]

any pic's?

 

[Treecareconcept]

Could the homeowner have tried some home remedy fertilizer after your pruning? Is Oak wilt in your area? For the tree to decline so quickly after pruning something went wrong.

I kind of think it might be the neighbor. He wanted the tree removed because he's afraid if it falls it could hit his house.

We don't really have a problem with Oak wilt in this area. Also this is a Valley Oak, Q-lobata. It's biggest pest is people building around it's root zone, drought and mistletoe.
I am going to take some samples to the U.C. lab and have it tested for herbicides. This is an ag area so herbicides are easy to get.

Both trees were trimmed on the same day and the fact that only one tree is affected (the other tree looks fine) is why I'm suspicious.
I'll see if I can post some pics.

 

[JeffL]

Was it possibly recently micro-injected? Something it didnt like?

 

[M.D. Vaden]

There would have to be a motive. Two common motives are:

1. Trees dropping leaves or casting shade next door.

2. Blocking a view, which could involve a property hundreds of feet away.

One question to consider is, is there a view to be seen in the area, and does the tree stand in the way.

Sometimes I look on the property for total absence of weeds, a potential indicator of herbicide use.

 

[Pete M]

You should take photographs in case you need them as evidence.

 

[Treecareconcept]

Was it possibly recently micro-injected? Something it didnt like?

I spoke with the owner and she said that she didn't have anyone apply anything. She was going to ask the renters if they did anything. If they did they probably won't admit it.

 

[Treecareconcept]

There would have to be a motive. Two common motives are:

1. Trees dropping leaves or casting shade next door.

2. Blocking a view, which could involve a property hundreds of feet away.

One question to consider is, is there a view to be seen in the area, and does the tree stand in the way.

Sometimes I look on the property for total absence of weeds, a potential indicator of herbicide use.

Here is a third motive: fear of toppling over and hitting the neighbors house.

Also the the point about absence of weeds is a good one. The area around the base of theses trees is weed free.

But now that's got me thinking......what about the lawn guy?

I'll be taking samples to the U.C. Extension for tests today as well as taking pictures.

 

[mcdonaldchris]

Sometimes taking a leaf sample to a lab, they can identify any posions or what not to see if there was someone involved, though it wont tell u who.

 

[Treecareconcept]

And the drama continues... My son went over today and took these pictures and did some digging around. A police report was filed and there was an eye witness he talked, who said they saw the neighbor on the 4th of July night go over with a pick ax and a jug of round up. So they got photo evidence of the guy actually doing it. And like a moron after he was confronted while doing it he kept working on it. Even after they took pictures he finished his job and scurried inside. Week later... TREE DEAD.

Here are the links to the pictures.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc202/Douchee_coo77/Image01-1.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc202/Douchee_coo77/Image02.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc202/Douchee_coo77/Image03.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc202/Douchee_coo77/Image04.jpg

 

[Ghillie]

Wow, talk about a smoking gun...

Confronted and still kept going?

 

[Wortown Mick]

So whats it cost to transplant a replacement big oak??? Cha-ching

I smell a lawsuit

 

[JeffL]

Somebody is in big trouble!

That is utterly ridiculous. Kind of upsetting too. I feel bad for the property owners who just lost a nice tree because of someones ignorance. I hope they get him for whatever they can, be it legal OR financial. :censored:

 

[046]

amazing!!!

caught red handed...

And the drama continues... My son went over today and took these pictures and did some digging around. A police report was filed and there was an eye witness he talked, who said they saw the neighbor on the 4th of July night go over with a pick ax and a jug of round up. So they got photo evidence of the guy actually doing it. And like a moron after he was confronted while doing it he kept working on it. Even after they took pictures he finished his job and scurried inside. Week later... TREE DEAD.

Here are the links to the pictures.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc202/Douchee_coo77/Image01-1.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc202/Douchee_coo77/Image02.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc202/Douchee_coo77/Image03.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc202/Douchee_coo77/Image04.jpg

 

[TexasTreemonkey]

WOW!! Keep us posted on what happens to him!

 

[capetrees]

With evidence, this guy was better off if HE drank the roundup. That tree is going to be worth HUGE dollars in replacement costs. Fact is, IT is not replaceable at that size. Someone around me sued a neighbor for a similar incendent and the suit asked for (I think) $120,000 for replacing 14 20 foot pines. This guy is toast!

 

[Bigus Termitius]

I would think trespassing and criminal damage to property. There might even be something on the books because he used the round up on someone else's property.


...and then comes the civil fun.

 

[(WLL)]

Somebody is in big trouble!

:agree2: thats just out-right stupid ignorant BS! i hope its delt with some heavy charges