British Columbia homeowner sues neighbors over tree removal

A homeowner in British Columbia has sought $35,000 in financial compensation after neighbors allegedly cut down mature trees on her property to improve their view of Shuswap Lake.

According to court documents from the Provincial Court of British Columbia, Jacalyn Hays claimed she had granted the defendants permission to trim only small saplings located near the property line. She specified that the work should not involve trees larger than three inches in diameter and that at least six to seven feet of tree height should remain.

Hays alleged that the defendants, including William Olthius and members of the Fenton family, exceeded these limits by cutting mature trees down to the ground and leaving debris that posed a potential fire hazard.