woods next to my property has downed trees

[ttamoneypit]

so I've lived in this house going on 5 yrs and I don't know the owner of the woods and cornfields next to my property



how much trouble could I get into taking trees that have fallen down ?

there are about 5 large ash trees just laying there black ant damage at the base of these trees and then wind blew them over,there are lots of rotted logs that appear to have been there for a very long time nobody comes around to take the stuff--is it up for grabs


I'm told the owner is some millionaire and he owns a lot of land around here
( PA )but lives in Utah

so just how much trouble am I asking for by taking these trees?

 

[b1rdman]

so I've lived in this house going on 5 yrs and I don't know the owner of the woods and cornfields next to my property



how much trouble could I get into taking trees that have fallen down ?

there are about 5 large ash trees just laying there black ant damage at the base of these trees and then wind blew them over,there are lots of rotted logs that appear to have been there for a very long time nobody comes around to take the stuff--is it up for grabs


I'm told the owner is some millionaire and he owns a lot of land around here
( PA )but lives in Utah

so just how much trouble am I asking for by taking these trees?

The owner name and address is public information.

Why not just call the guy and ask?

To answer your question it's not "up for grabs". I couldn't tell you if it would be a misdemeanor or felony but it's way past a "parking ticket".

 

[demographic]

How much of a problem would it be to just ask the owner

I usually find that most people are pretty cool as long as your good with them.
Start taking liberties and the millionaire can afford better lawyers...

 

[ttamoneypit]

I'll talk to my other neighbors they have been here a long time and should know his name and then I'll try to contact him

1 of the other neighbors has 8 acres and said to help myself to anything down or standing--nice old lady

 

[Richard_]

1 of the other neighbors has 8 acres and said to help myself to anything down or standing--nice old lady

that's the route I would take

 

[TreePointer]

so I've lived in this house going on 5 yrs and I don't know the owner of the woods and cornfields next to my property



how much trouble could I get into taking trees that have fallen down ?

there are about 5 large ash trees just laying there black ant damage at the base of these trees and then wind blew them over,there are lots of rotted logs that appear to have been there for a very long time nobody comes around to take the stuff--is it up for grabs


I'm told the owner is some millionaire and he owns a lot of land around here
( PA )but lives in Utah

so just how much trouble am I asking for by taking these trees?

You could be charged with Agricultural Trespass.

That would be a minimum $250 fine and up to a year in prision. If you get caught after you're told to stay off the land, the fine is $500-$5000 and up to 2 years in prison.

Reference (scroll down to "Agricultural trespasser"):
http://reference.pafoa.org/statutes/PA/18/II/C/35/3503/criminal-trespass/

My parents own a PA farm and keep it posted. The trespass law applies even if you don't take any wood. Other charges could be filed regarding the taking of property (wood, etc.).

MORAL OF THE STORY: ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION.

 

[ulyssesjones]

Just find out who the owner is and contact them. You can get this information at town hall. Odds are that if he lives far away he might appreciate knowing that someone is looking after his property. That is as long as you don't go cutting everything down and tearing the ground up with your truck. If he isn't willing to let you take dead trees that are just going to rot then he is probably the type who will press charges if you "steal" his wood without asking. Better safe than sorry.

-Jones

 

[Circle B MN]

Please explain to us why it is even a question as to whether or not you should take something that doesn't belong to you..?

 

[husky455rancher]

:agree2:
1 of the other neighbors has 8 acres and said to help myself to anything down or standing--nice old lady[/QUOTE]


thats the route to take, i would keep try to contact the landowner aswell. you can never have too much wood. im the meantime id hop on that 8 acres.

 

[tanker]

Please explain to us why it is even a question as to whether or not you should take something that doesn't belong to you..?

I was just getting ready to ask this question myself. Scott

 

[super3]

Please explain to us why it is even a question as to whether or not you should take something that doesn't belong to you..?

Ya, really

 

[ericjeeper]

around here it goes like this..

trespassers will be shot.. Survivors will be prosecuted.

 

[logbutcher]

Funny that this is even questioned. Maybe a sign of the decline of ethics.

There's tough TIMBER TRESPASS laws here in Maine. The penalties when the offender is caught can be severe: time and fines.

But more to the point: would you want anyone around you who questions property rights ? Oh they're just downed trees . Oh, I'm sorry, the owner is an "absent millionaire" ? "I didn't inhale". :jawdrop:

Oh, BTW: Maine also has the highest per capita registered Permits to Carry. And, it's a low crime state.....so far.

Timber is like cattle, like anything you own---trees, firewood, cookies. Do you really have to tell someone ? Where do these people come from ?

 

[PA Plumber]

OP,
Glad you're asking. A lot better then facing prosecution for theft and trespass.

As mentioned, get permission. A written note of permission is best.

Keep the original(s) at home and always carry a copy when you are on the landowner's property.

Keep in touch with the landowner to make sure there haven't been any changes. It's a nice courtesy.

 

[slinger]

Call the guy and make your case.

How would you like someone deciding to help themselves to something in your yard/garage that you are not using

Good for you for not helping yourself first

 

[rx7145]

trespassers will be shot.. Survivors will be prosecuted.

Around here its: "Trespassers will be shot....Survivors will be shot again."

 

[12vdzl]

What do you guys do if theirs big trees that have fallen on the roadway and the county pushes them off to the side. Even though the trees aren't on the farmers "open" field, but are in the hedge row, would you guys still ask for permission from the land owner?? In MI i've been told the right of way is 15 to 30 feet from the center line of the road, Who's property/tree is it ??? There are ALOT of trees on this road that have been given an improper burial, they'll just sit and rot.

Thanks guys!

 

[burroak]

Go to the surveyors office in your county courthouse. They have Platt maps that tell you the name of the owner of the land. If the name isn't in the phone book, look it up on whitepages.com

 

[PA Plumber]

What do you guys do if theirs big trees that have fallen on the roadway and the county pushes them off to the side. Even though the trees aren't on the farmers "open" field, but are in the hedge row, would you guys still ask for permission from the land owner?? In MI i've been told the right of way is 15 to 30 feet from the center line of the road, Who's property/tree is it ??? There are ALOT of trees on this road that have been given an improper burial, they'll just sit and rot.

Thanks guys!

Our survey pins come off the middle of the roadway for some parts.

The township/county/state folks have the right of way for a certain number of feet, but we pay the taxes up to that survey pin.

I'd ask for permission from the landowner. Sure goes a long way in keeping things "neighborly."

 

[flxblx]

What do you guys do if theirs big trees that have fallen on the roadway and the county pushes them off to the side. Even though the trees aren't on the farmers "open" field, but are in the hedge row, would you guys still ask for permission from the land owner?? In MI i've been told the right of way is 15 to 30 feet from the center line of the road, Who's property/tree is it ??? There are ALOT of trees on this road that have been given an improper burial, they'll just sit and rot.

Thanks guys!

In the country. I own to the middle of the road. The county/state has the right to use (right of way not ownership) a certain distance from center of road.