Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Aug 23, 2011 at 1:30 pm

Make it a felony. Or better yet make the crime of illegally topping a tree punishable by gullotine. It's only fitting.

Posted by sabyn, a resident of the Portola Valley: Westridge neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2011 at 9:48 am

people are just crazy about their view. they'll do anything to improve it. this nut job tree topper needs to find a new hobby

Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2011 at 12:55 pm

Years ago when Joe Montana lived on Valpariso on the Atherton side his new neighbor to the east topped Joe's trees along the property so he could get more sunlight. Without Joe's permission of course.

Posted by curious, a resident of another community, on Aug 25, 2011 at 3:02 pm

Given that a boom truck was likely used, did they consider contacting the local tree trimming firms and asking them if they were involved in the matter?

Posted by lisa, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on Aug 25, 2011 at 3:19 pm

I agree there should be harsher fines and punishments for "tree" crimes, and the current laws should be more strictly enforced. Besides that, what sort of person gets any pleasure from destroying trees. Sick fcks!.

Posted by Eric, a resident of the Portola Valley: Portola Valley Ranch neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2011 at 12:07 am

Having lived next to a stand of ugly eucalyptus trees for over ten years, I can understand the frustration of neighbors when they lose sunlight on their property and see their plants die due to lack of light and loss of water. Illegal tree topping would not occur if people were considerate of their neighbors' views and need for sunlight.

I drove past my former home about a year ago. The eucalyptus trees still had not been trimmed and looked like even more of a storm and fire hazard. I wouldn't blame someone for topping those trees.

The real answer would be a requirement that tree owners did not let their trees negatively affect other properties in the neighborhood.

Posted by Marie, a resident of the Woodside: other neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2011 at 12:19 am

For some of us open space also means an open view. Trees need to be maintained. Trimming trees is important to the trees' health. Allowing trees to grow unchecked is akin to neglecting them. Neglected trees fall down in storms and can even kill a passerby.

Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2011 at 10:29 am

Eric and Marie

It's called nature.

You have a choice don't buy a home next a tree.

By the way topping a tree totally screws up the branch and root systems.

Just take a look at street trees in Menlo Park which were planted under power lines and topped by PG&E.