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Logger Illegally Cut My Black Walnut Trees (IL)

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From: Bob Pond City: Countryside, IL
Hi, I recently bought a piece of land in central IL. The seller is a logger and went onto my property and cut down a bunch of big black walnut trees. They are 20 inches in diameter and I am now trying to figure out how much he owes me for wrongfully cutting down trees on my property not his. I know typically the law says the offender is to pay 3 x the value of the log. How do I figure out the value of these logs? Do I need to hire a professional and not take this loggers for his word? Thanks Bob
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Hi Bob: Sorry to hear about this timber trespassing issue. First and foremost, I would definitely contact your local IDNR Conservation Police Officer (CPO) to begin the formal complaint process -- that way there is a legal record of the alleged wrongdoing. https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/LawEnforcement/Pages/default.aspx Best of luck!
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