Rockingham County timber trespass lawsuit ends with $100,000 settlement

Year of Incident: 2024

Location: Rockingham County, NH

Result: Settled after suit for $100,000

Attorney: Israel F. Piedra, Esq., of Welts, White & Fontaine, PC

Case Summary

In 2024, a New Hampshire electric company hired a tree service to clear cut a large lot for the installation of a solar farm. The property lines were surveyed and marked out; however, the tree service workers apparently misunderstood which trees they were supposed to cut. As a result, 30+ trees on our client’s property were cut down. The tree stumps ranged from approximately 7 to 26 inches in diameter.

The trees were somewhat distant from our client’s house; however, they did serve as a partial visual buffer between his backyard/house and the large solar farm, which was an eyesore.

The property owner retained Welts, White & Fontaine, PC, to prosecute his claim. Demand was made upon the tree service’s insurance company. However, no offer was received. As a result, a lawsuit was filed in Rockingham County Superior Court against the tree service and the electric company.

After several months of discovery and litigation, the parties held a mediation in early 2026, and a favorable settlement of $100,000 was reached.