$600,000 Oak

**JABIII** · 05-09-2019, 08:15 AM

Couple must pay nearly $600G for removing oak tree from their property, judge rules
By Brie Stimson | Fox News

A judge ordered a Northern California couple this week to pay nearly $600,000 for uprooting an almost 200-year-old oak tree from their property that was protected under a conservation easement.

Peter and Toni Thompson removed the 180-year-old heritage oak tree to move it to another home they built adjacent to the property. More than 3,000 cubic yards of dirt was also removed in the process.

The tree, two others they removed and a dozen others along a previously undisturbed path they bulldozed died, along with surrounding vegetation.

This photo shows the 180-year-old heritage oak tree being excavated from an easement property in Sonoma, Calif.

The Sonoma County Superior Judge sided with the Sonoma Land Trust, saying the Thompsons knowingly violated the conservation deal and said they demonstrated “arrogance” and “disregard” over the terms of the easement. The fine of $586,000 will go toward environmental restoration on the property.

The couple, who decided to sell their estate for $8.45 million after the ruling, are seeking a new trial, reasoning their attorney could not properly represent them for personal reasons.

"In our opinion, there's a lot of evidence that our side of the story really didn't get a chance to explain,” Peter Thompson said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/judge-ord...oving-oak-tree

**uga_dawg** · 05-09-2019, 08:28 AM

Judging from the picture that tree has already cost them a ton of money.

I'm no arborist, but looking at that pic I'm not surprised the tree died. Everything is green around it, so I'm guessing it wasn't in the winter. And that's not much of root ball for a tree that size.

And to be fair they killed 14 trees on a property with a conservation easement. Idiots.

**Saltydog235** · 05-09-2019, 08:36 AM

Bet it’d make some nice pallets.

Rubberhead* · 05-09-2019, 08:36 AM

There's abundant arrogance on both sides of this story.

**dox08** · 05-09-2019, 08:37 AM

From what I understand moving a tree that size can cost $150k or more depending on how far it has to move. Looks like a power right away behind it too or more likely a cell tower. Idiots from California.