Rockingham County Landowner Wins $100,000 Settlement After Solar Crews Cut 30 Trees

The mistake happened in 2024, when crews hired to clear land for a new solar farm walked onto a neighbor’s lot. They cut down more than 30 trees. Some trunks measured up to 26 inches in diameter—mature specimens that had stood for decades.

The property lines had been surveyed and marked before the work began. But the tree-service workers apparently didn’t notice, or didn’t care. For the homeowner, these trees weren’t just timber; they were the only thing blocking the view of the sprawling solar installation. Losing them meant losing the visual buffer that kept the neighbor’s land feeling like a home rather than a viewing deck for a power plant.

The homeowner hired Welts, White & Fontaine, PC, with attorney Israel F. Piedra leading the charge. The firm first sent a demand letter to the tree service’s insurance company. No answer came back. So, the lawsuit went to Rockingham County Superior Court, naming both the tree service and the electric company as defendants.

Discovery dragged on for months. Then, in early 2026, the parties sat down for mediation. They agreed to a $100,000 payout. It’s not a court-ordered fine, but a negotiated settlement that finally put a price tag on the error. The case is now closed, but the stumps remain on the property, a permanent reminder of what happens when you don’t double-check the survey.

There is no further legal action pending. The settlement payment is expected to be disbursed in the coming weeks, according to the firm’s account. For now, the solar farm stands, and the neighbor’s view is open.