Man Who Cut Down 22 Trees On Preserved Bucks County Land Will Pay $260K

A Bucks County man who cut down 22 century-old trees on preserved property so he could have a better view from his home on Solebury Mountain will pay more than $260,000 in restitution, a judge decided Monday.

David Topel, 62, who pleaded no contest to felony criminal mischief, faces five years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and must pay the cost for 220 replacement trees.

According to information from the Bucks County District Attorney's office, Topel hired an arborist to cut down the trees in order to improve the view from the back deck of his new home in Solebury Township. He told authorities he believed that the trees were on his land but, in fact, they were not, officials said.

The District Attorney said the trees were part of a "densely wooded," 36.6-acre tract owned by 11 members of the Sage Meadows Homeowners Association. They were further protected by preservation easements belonging to Solebury Township and the Bedminster Regional Land Conservancy, the District Attorney's office said.

A neighboring homeowner discovered the trees had been cut down while conducting a routine check to make sure that the area was properly posted with "no trespassing" signs.

Some of the trees cut down were taller than 100 feet.

Topel was criminally charged after an investigation by the Solebury Township Police Department.

“I clearly was reckless and shirked my responsibility by not hiring a surveyor,” Topel said. “It is so out of character for me to harm anyone, especially my neighbors.”