My nightmare started when my sister Mara called me in a panic and told me to come home immediately.
When I arrived at our property on Pine Hollow Road, six massive sycamore trees were gone — trees my father and grandfather had planted decades earlier. A tree removal crew hired by Cedar Ridge Estates HOA had cut them down to “improve the view” for the luxury homes on the ridge above my land.
I confronted the HOA president, Gordon Hale, but he brushed me off and claimed they had the right to clear the area. He was wrong.
My family’s property records included a 1989 easement agreement allowing the neighborhood to use Pine Hollow Road across my land — but it clearly prohibited any changes to my property.
My attorney confirmed the HOA had illegally trespassed and destroyed the trees.
The next morning, I installed survey markers and chained off Pine Hollow Road, legally blocking residents from using the only direct road into Cedar Ridge Estates. The sheriff later confirmed I had every right to do it.
An independent county survey proved all six trees stood fully on my property.
Facing a lawsuit for trespassing and timber theft, the HOA finally agreed to settle. By November, they paid to plant twelve mature sycamore trees along my property line — creating an even thicker barrier than before.
Only after the final tree was planted did I remove the chain and reopen the road.
The neighbors got their access back.
But now their “perfect view” is slowly disappearing behind twelve growing trees.