By J. Graber | Daily Independent (abridged)
The approximately 670 Sissoo trees in the common areas of the posh Arcadia at Silverleaf neighborhood will remain standing.
After an approximately four year fight between homeowner Tom LaPorte and the DC Ranch Home Owners Association (which includes Arcadia at Silverleaf), both sides have come to an agreement through the mediation process.
Sissoo trees in the parks and the entry points to the gated community of multi-million homes will remain, according to a joint statement released Aug. 5 by attorneys for LaPorte and the HOA.
The settlement also requires trees on owners’ lots to be evaluated by an independent, professional arborist to assess their health and whether they pose a risk to adjacent homes, infrastructure or the community. Trees that were already torn out will also be replaced and finally the HOA will pay $125,000 into a fund to repair damage on private lots caused by Sissoo trees.
“The parties are pleased with this resolution and believe it is mutually beneficial to the Association and Arcadia-Silverleaf Neighborhood as a whole,” the announcement said.
Requests for comment from DC Ranch Homeowners Association officials and LaPorte were not returned.
While considered beautiful by many because of its large canopies, the fast growing Sissoo tree’s invasive roots are infamous for interfering with infrastructure like water and sewer lines as well as sidewalks.
That led the HOA to take preemptive steps to remove the trees, which were originally planted by the developer when the community of 123 lots was built in 2010.
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Related: DC Ranch Homeowners Face $16.3K Fee Each to Remove Trees