The Brief
- A viral video of a tree tumbling toward an Issaquah neighborhood led to a King County lawsuit against three homeowners for allegedly cutting over 140 trees for better views.
- One homeowner claims the tree-cutting was for safety, not views, and says King County gave verbal permission after a county-owned tree damaged his home.
- King County officials call it a severe timber trespass, with trees cut without permits, destabilizing the hillside, and filed a civil suit seeking damages.
- The homeowner cited damages to their home from a falling tree in the area in their decision to hire arborists.
Big picture view:
But one of the homeowners named in the lawsuit tells FOX 13 it was never about the view — it was about protecting his family and property. He says King County gave him permission for the work.
Chain saws buzzing through the forest isn’t unusual for Issaquah resident Alex Brown.
“We’re in a rural area. People cut firewood all the time,” Brown said.…