Prince George's County Jury Awards Record $933,000 Tree Cutting Verdict
A Prince George's County homeowner was awarded a record $933,000 verdict after her neighbor hired a tree service to cut down nine large trees on her property in February 2024. The neighbor settled with the homeowner for $500,000, which was credited against the jury's award, reducing the amount owed by the tree service to $433,000. The jury found the tree service liable for trespass and negligence, a verdict reported as the largest in Maryland history for tree destruction.
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March 2026 — 2 developments
It was revealed that the neighbor involved in the incident had reached a settlement with the homeowner prior to the full finalization of the jury's award.
It was revealed that the neighbor involved in the incident had reached a settlement with the homeowner prior to the full finalization of the jury's award. The neighbor's insurance company paid $500,000 as part of this settlement, leading to the neighbor's exit from the lawsuit. The homeowner agreed to credit this settlement amount against the total verdict, effectively reducing the amount owed by Unlimbited Tree Service to $433,000.
News of the record-breaking $933,000 verdict began circulating on social media platforms, notably on Reddit.
News of the record-breaking $933,000 verdict began circulating on social media platforms, notably on Reddit. Users shared the story on subreddits such as r/treelaw and r/maryland, sparking discussions about property rights, the legal ramifications of unauthorized tree removal, and the specifics of Maryland's tree law.
February 2026 — 1 developments
After a trial, a Prince George's County jury rendered a verdict finding Unlimbited Tree Service liable for trespass and negligence.
After a trial, a Prince George's County jury rendered a verdict finding Unlimbited Tree Service liable for trespass and negligence. The jury awarded the homeowner a total of $933,000 in damages. This significant award was later recognized as potentially the largest in Maryland's history for a case solely involving the destruction of trees.
January 2025 — 1 developments
The homeowner initiated legal proceedings by filing a lawsuit in the Prince George's County Circuit Court.
The homeowner initiated legal proceedings by filing a lawsuit in the Prince George's County Circuit Court. The suit named both the neighbor responsible for ordering the tree removal and Unlimbited Tree Service as defendants. The legal action sought substantial damages for the unauthorized destruction of the trees and the resulting diminution of property value and aesthetic harm.
February 2024 — 1 developments
A homeowner in Prince George's County, Maryland, returned from a work trip to discover that nine mature trees on her property had been cut down.
A homeowner in Prince George's County, Maryland, returned from a work trip to discover that nine mature trees on her property had been cut down. Her neighbor had hired Unlimbited Tree Service to remove the trees without her explicit permission, leaving only a note. Many of the felled trees were large, with diameters exceeding 30 inches, causing significant damage and loss to the homeowner's property.