A New Hampshire man was in court today following his arrest last January for cutting down some trees on his neighbor's property. According to this article from the Portland Herald, Mr. Arthur Patch intentionally and apparently without remorse cut down seven Norway maples (Acer platanoides), estimated to have been about 20 years old, and turned them into firewood. Among his claims of defense were that the trees are invasive, which is true. However, there is ample evidence that his real goal was to gain a clear view of a nearby pond. Once a surveyor confirmed that the trees were on the neighbor's property, a warrant went out for Mr. Patch's arrest, and he voluntarily turned himself in.
Cost of the ordeal:
- a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief-vandalism
- a $500 fine
- an impending lawsuit for damages covering the cost of replacement (Likely expensive, but here's hoping they pick something native!)
- the embarrassment of having his *mugshot* pasted all over the local news...for chopping down some trees.
Oh Arthur, if only I could believe you had good in your heart when you took to the saw!
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