Neighbours over-trimmed trees for lake view; judge orders $34,064 damages

A British Columbia woman who allowed her neighbours to trim some trees in 2021 later found that much more had been cut down to improve their view of Shuswap Lake. A provincial court judge has now ruled that the neighbours trespassed on her property and ordered them to pay $34,064 in damages.The case involved Sicamous resident Jacalyn Hays and several neighbours who wanted a better view of the lake, Info News reported. Hays had agreed to limited tree trimming, but the court found that the work went far beyond what she had permitted.Hays said her backyard had once been a “shaded oasis” but became “unbearable” after the trees were cut. She was also concerned about the stability of the slope near her property, which had experienced a mudslide in 2012.The dispute began in July 2021 when Hays’ neighbour, Alan Fenton, approached her about trimming trees on her property.