Eugene neighbors settle legal dispute over tall trees

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Neighbors in southwest Eugene have settled a long-running legal battle that centered on tall trees.

The Register-Guard reports the settlement requires two homeowners to cut down 10 of the 23 trees at issue in the case.

A judge ruled earlier this year that homeowners Jeff Bauer and Tom Heyler violated a subdivision covenant that prohibits owners from allowing trees to unreasonably interfere with the view from other lots.

Heyler tried to exempt his property by securing signatures from surrounding homeowners.

But Heyler tells the newspaper he decided the fight was no longer worth the cost. He estimates he and Bauer have racked up about $60,000 in legal fees.

Bauer and Heyler must each cut down three trees by Nov. 1. Bauer must remove four additional trees by Feb. 1.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com