In the tranquil Silverleaf Arcadia neighborhood of Scottsdale, Arizona, a bitter battle has been brewing for the past three years, pitting homeowners against their local Homeowners’ Association (HOA), known as DC Ranch. The bone of contention? The fate of the cherished Sissoo trees that have long graced the community, a fight that has now led residents to take extraordinary legal measures to protect their leafy companions.
The Silverleaf Arcadia neighborhood, renowned for its picturesque canopy of Sissoo trees, has always been synonymous with these majestic natural inhabitants. As Paul Petelin, a resident, put it succinctly, “Everybody knew this was the tree neighborhood,” a sentiment firmly echoed by fellow homeowner Barry Chasse, who noted, “That’s why our family moved here.”
However, the tranquility was shattered when DC Ranch, the local HOA, initiated a controversial campaign in 2020 aimed at removing every single one of these beloved trees. Tom La Porte, a dismayed homeowner embroiled in this arboral saga, described it as nothing short of a “nightmare for three years,” reflecting the enduring dispute that has rattled the community.
DC Ranch’s rationale for this radical step was a longstanding issue with the trees’ formidable roots. Sissoo trees have garnered a reputation for causing damage to pavements and plumbing, leading to costly repairs. Nevertheless, their decision to eradicate all the trees struck a discordant chord among many residents, who considered these trees an integral part of the neighborhood’s original development plan.
In a lawsuit filed last year, La Porte contended that the HOA had not upheld its duty to adequately maintain the trees, raising a plausible explanation for the alleged root-related issues. Despite ongoing resistance from a faction of homeowners, DC Ranch persisted with its tree removal mission. Even during negotiations aimed at finding common ground, the sound of chainsaws continued to echo through the neighborhood.
To halt the relentless destruction while awaiting a final decision on the matter, La Porte, along with other concerned residents, resorted to filing a temporary restraining order against DC Ranch. Under the terms of this order, the HOA was prohibited from removing any more trees unless each tree’s owner consented to the removal.
This appeared to be a temporary reprieve for the embattled trees, but the cease-fire was short-lived. DC Ranch, seemingly undeterred, levied a staggering $3,000 fee upon every homeowner in the community to cover the costs of tree removal. This hefty assessment included even those who had not seen a tree removed and vehemently opposed such a measure.
The La Porte family, unwilling to acquiesce to this financial burden, expressed their resolve to challenge the charge through yet another lawsuit. Juli La Porte, speaking with conviction, declared, “I didn’t take my trees out. I don’t know why I should have to pay for anybody else. For me to have to pay for that is just not right.”
The battle to preserve the Silverleaf Arcadia neighborhood’s iconic Sissoo trees rages on, and as residents brace themselves for a protracted legal struggle, the dispute serves as a potent reminder of the enduring conflicts that can arise between homeowners and their HOAs, especially when cherished aspects of their community are at stake.
Leave a Reply