My Neighbors Wanted Sunlight for Their Hot Tub, so They Cut Down My Grandparents’ 50-Year-Old Apple Tree – They Regretted It Immediately

Fifty years ago, my grandparents planted an apple tree that became a family treasure. I inherited their home and cherished that tree, a symbol of my childhood. But when new neighbors, Brad and Karen, moved in, they demanded I remove it because it shaded their planned hot tub. I refused—it was on my property and held deep sentimental value. They scoffed, dismissing its importance.

While I was on vacation, they illegally cut it down, leaving only a stump. Furious, I returned to confront them. They were unapologetic, claiming it improved my yard. I hired an arborist who valued the tree at $18,000, then sent Brad and Karen a legal notice for damages and trespassing. For revenge, I planted three towering evergreens along our fence, legally positioned to block all sunlight from their hot tub.

They were livid, screaming about harassment, but I held firm, backed by documentation and the law. The trees thrive, casting their yard in permanent shade. My lawyer is pursuing the case, with damages nearing $20,000. Now, sitting under my new grove, I feel my grandparents’ pride. They taught me to protect what matters. Karen regrets moving here. I just smile and sip my coffee.