Iowa Code
Iowa Code § 658.4 (2026)
Treble damages for injury to trees
✓ current as of July 2026
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For willfully injuring any timber, tree, or shrub on the land of another, or in the street or highway in front of another’s cultivated ground, yard, or city lot, or on the public grounds of any city, or any land held by the state for any purpose whatever, the perpetrator shall pay treble damages at the suit of any person entitled to protect or enjoy the property. [C51, §2137; R60, §3719; C73, §3335; C97, §4306; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12405; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §658.4]
\nNotes of Decisions
Cited in 19
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1956–2021 · leading case: Magers-Fionof v. State, 555 N.W.2d 672 (Iowa 1996).
Magers-Fionof v. State, 555 N.W.2d 672 (Iowa 1996). “Iowa Code § 658.4 . The State moved to dismiss, claiming section 658.”
In the Matter of the Est. of Johnny VAJGRT, Deceased, Bill Ernst, Inc., Intervenor-Appellant, 801 N.W.2d 570 (Iowa 2011). “” Iowa Code § 658.4 (2009); see also Johnson v.”
Johnson v. Tyler, 277 N.W.2d 617 (Iowa 1979). “This is an action brought under § 658.4, The Code, 1975, for damages resulting from the deliberate and willful removal by defendants of a number of trees and shrubs from plaintiffs’ property.”
Bangert v. Osceola Cnty., 456 N.W.2d 183 (Iowa 1990). “Plaintiffs commenced this action against Osceola County seeking treble damages pursuant to Iowa Code section 658.4 (1985) for the destruction of the twenty-eight healthy cottonwood trees and the plum tree.”
Cozad v. Strack, 119 N.W.2d 266 (Iowa 1963). “Count II asks treble damages under Code section 658.4 for willfully cutting down two trees on the strip of ground in dispute.”
Clark v. Sherriff, 74 N.W.2d 569 (Iowa 1956). “Iowa Code section 658.4, so far as pertinent here, provides: “For willfully injuring any timber, tree, or shrub on the land of another * * * the perpetrator shall pay treble damages at the suit of any person entitled to protect or enjoy the property.”
Nichols v. Sukaro Kennels, 555 N.W.2d 689 (Iowa 1996). “Second, damages were awarded pursuant to Iowa Code section 658.4 (1995), which provides for treble damages for the willful injury of trees.”
King v. Grecco, 111 S.W.3d 877 (Ky. Ct. App. 2002). “Pursuant to Iowa Code § 658.4 , which provides: For willfully injuring any timber, tree, or shrub on the land of another, or in the street or highway in front of another’s cultivated ground, yard, or city lot, or on the public grounds of any city, or any land held by the state…”
Huston v. Huston, 122 N.W.2d 892 (Iowa 1963). “) Plaintiff argues here, and defendant denies, he willfully disobeyed the 1957 decree within the meaning of section 598.”
Hurley v. Youde, 503 N.W.2d 626 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993). “The plaintiffs, Hurleys, appeal the district court’s judgment for the defendant, Lee Youde, in an action for damages for destruction of a hedge pursuant to Iowa Code section 658.4 (1989). Hurleys contend the court erred in: (1) ruling that Youde acted properly in cutting the…”
Drew v. Lionberger, 508 N.W.2d 83 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993). “Drew now appeals claiming the court erred by: (1) utilizing the market value of the lumber produced from the trees to measure damages; (2) misapplying Iowa Code section 658.4 (1991) by not awarding treble damages for the willful cutting of the trees; (3) failing to find that…”
Fritz v. Parkison, 397 N.W.2d 714 (Iowa 1986). “§ 658.4. Ornamental trees, fruit trees, and hedges located beyond the highway right-of-way are not to be condemned even if they obstruct highway ditches or drains.”
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