Couple Alleges Contractor Scam After Oak Tree Removed Post-Purchase
A couple in South St. Louis County, Missouri, discovered a decades-old oak tree in their new home's front yard had been cut down just days after they purchased the property. They suspect it was the victim of a contractor scam,…
Hartford & New Haven, CT, August 4, 2026 —
A recently purchased property in South St. Louis County, Missouri, is at the center of a suspected contractor scam after a mature oak tree was removed from the front yard days after the home’s sale closed.
The new homeowners, whose names were not provided, discovered the tree had been cut down shortly after taking possession of their new residence. The oak tree was described as being decades old.
Investigators are exploring the possibility that an individual or group impersonated the new homeowners to contract a tree removal service. This alleged impersonation would have occurred between the time the property sale was finalized and the couple had officially moved in.
The specifics of how the alleged scam was carried out, including the identity of the tree removal service involved and the exact timeline of events, were not immediately available. The amount of any fine or penalty was also not provided.
Authorities are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized removal of the tree.
Story summarized from the original created by Jordyn Burrell, Jordan Gartner on www.wfsb.com, see more information here.
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