Residents of an Arizona city filed a restraining order against a homeowners association after it refused to stop removing their beloved Sissoo trees from their neighborhood.
The Silverleaf Arcadia area of North Scottsdale is known for its large, multi-million dollar homes that fill the community.
Although the large properties dominate the neighborhood, it is also known for the 917 Sissoo trees that line the sidewalks and adorn people’s properties.
Despite being loved by residents, with some stating they moved to the area specifically for the trees, the local homeowners association is embroiled in a bitter feud with residents to have the trees removed.
The HOA, DC Ranch, has been trying to have the trees within the gated community removed for three years because they are damaging roads and underground pipes.
Now, residents have filed a temporary restraining order against the group, preventing them from removing any more trees.
A total of 917 Sissoo trees line the sidewalks and adorn the properties of people in the neighborhood
DC Ranch had planted the trees nearby during the 2005 development, despite them not being native to the Sonoran Desert.
According to DC Ranch, the Sissoo has an “invasive, destructive and thirsty root system” that can run 50 feet or more to find water.
In an information message from DailyMail.com, the HOA continued: ‘After fifteen years, the streets and sidewalks in the area are showing signs of damage.
“The trees will continue to pose a threat of property damage to homes, patios, pools and utilities.
“Ranch Association stopped watering the trees two years ago, with no material impact on growth.”
Last August, DC Ranch applied to the Scottsdale Development Review Board for permission to remove the trees.
This request was subsequently rejected by the board and the VvE then said that it would appeal this decision to the municipal council, but did not do so.
The HOA then passed a resolution in September stating that they would not cause any problems for those who choose to remove the trees from the front of their homes.
Those opposed to the removal were OK with that until January of this year, when every homeowner received a notice from the HOA stating they owed $3,000 for the removal of Sissoo trees in the neighborhood.
The Silverleaf Arcadia area of North Scottsdale is known for its large multi-million dollar homes that fill the community
The HOA, DC Ranch, has been trying to have the trees in the gated community removed for three years because they are damaging roads and underground pipes.
Resident Barry Chasse said 12news that the trees had been the main reason he had moved to the neighborhood.
Homeowner Paul Petelin echoed this point, saying, “Everyone knew this was the tree neighborhood.
Angered by the HOA’s continued action to have them removed, Tom La Porte decided to file a civil lawsuit against DC Ranch.
The lawsuit cites that the trees were part of the original development plan when it was built.
La Porte told the outlet that the entire saga had been: “A nightmare for three years.”
Angered by the HOA’s continued action to have them removed, Tom La Porte, seen here, decided to file a civil lawsuit against DC Ranch
The lawsuit was postponed when DC Ranch agreed to mediation with the homeowners to find out if an agreement could be reached, La Porte said.
He said despite the delay, the removal continued, adding: “Tree felling continued while we had to negotiate, so we decided to go to court to stop it.”
After this, La Porte wanted to have a restraining order imposed against the homeowners’ association, so that they could not remove the trees without the homeowners’ permission.
His wife, Juli La Porte, said, “I didn’t remove my trees. I don’t know why I should pay for someone else?
“It’s just not right that I have to pay for that.”
DailyMail.com reached out to DC Ranch for comment on the ongoing disputes.