Nantucket Homeowner Sues After Neighbor Cuts Down Trees for Ocean View

A property war is brewing in Nantucket, MA, after a homeowner accused a neighbor of securing an ocean view by cutting down 50-year-old trees.

Jonathan Jacoby is being sued by his neighbor, Patricia Belford, who alleges Jacoby chopped down longstanding greenery that grew between her property and Nantucket’s Hummock Pond Road, according to the Nantucket Current.

Belford believes her neighbor’s motives had to do with him later listing his property for nearly $10 million and claiming it offered “sweeping ocean views” and is seeking more than $1.4 million in damages. In a lawsuit, she alleges that Jacoby trespassed on her property at 1 Tautemo Way in order to chop down the trees.

“The Defendant’s actions were calculated to enhance the ocean view from his own residence at 3 Tautemo Way and were carried out with full knowledge that he lacked any legal right to do so,” the lawsuit, obtained by the Nantucket Current, states.

Belford says in the complaint that the vegetation acted as a “natural buffer” between the property and a nearby body of water. The greenery, which had been around for decades, also provided the residents with privacy and shade.

“The trees at issue were planted by the Belford family in the 1970s and maintained for nearly five decades. Their removal was not only a violation of the Plaintiff’s property rights, but also caused lasting damage to the character, value, and privacy of the property,” the suit continued.

The trees that were cut down included cedar, cherry, and Leyland Cypress, several of which were over 30 feet in height and decadesold, according to the lawsuit.

$10 million Nantucket property advertising “ocean views”

The lawsuit alleged that Jacoby illegally entered Belford’s property, walked across her driveway to the south/southwest portion of the property, and cut down over 16 mature trees without notice or permission on Feb. 22, 2025.

Belford believes Jacoby acted intentionally to improve the ocean view for his own property at 3 Tautemo Way—which he later listed for sale for $9,975,000. Bedford claims Jacoby’s earlier listing did not indicate “ocean views” at all, but the current listing does.

“Large sliding glass doors open to an enormous deck perfect for relaxing or al fresco dining and to take in the 180-degree views of the ocean, pond, and conservation land,” according to the listing.

The four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom estate is selling for $9,975,000.

Thousands of dollars in property damage

In a police statement, Jacoby’s former landscaper, Krasimir Kirilov, said Jacoby admitted to cutting down trees on the neighboring Belford property and had asked him to help clean up the debris, according to the Nantucket Current.

Kirilov told officers he was nearly finished with the cleanup when the Belfords’ property manager, Matt Erisman, showed up—unaware that any work was taking place. After Kirilov explained the situation, the report statest Erisman said he had no knowledge of the tree removal and called Jacoby directly. Following their conversation, Erisman told Kirilov he could stop work and leave the property.

Law enforcement confirmed that Jacoby did not obtain permission to cut down the beloved trees.

“Officer Haddad documented that Jacoby failed to produce any legitimate documentation of consent and determined that the cutting was done in a targeted fashion to expand views from the upper story of Jacoby’s house,” the lawsuit says.

It goes on to describe the replacement cost alone exceeds $486,000 and does “not account for the historic value, loss of screening, increased noise, or reduction in overall property value. It also states that the complete removal of the trees destroyed the Belford Property’s only natural buffer to Hummock Pond Road. As a result, the Belford Property is now exposed to full view from the street, and occupants are subject to significantly increased road noise, light, and privacy intrusion.”

“The loss of the trees has significantly diminished the value and character of the Belford Property,” the lawsuit continues. “The trees were a mature and integral part of the landscape, planted and cared for by the Belford family for nearly 50 years. (The tree cutter’s) actions were not only economically damaging but also emotionally devastating for Belford. The family viewed the trees as part of their home and history. Their removal was deeply distressing to Belford and the Belford family.”

Realtor.com® has reached out to both Belford’s and Jacoby’s lawyers for comment.