2005 Minnesota Statutes - 561.04 — Trespass; treble damages.

     561.04 Trespass; treble damages.  


    Whoever without lawful authority cuts down or carries off 
 any wood, underwood, tree, or timber, or girdles or otherwise 
 injures any tree, timber, or shrub, on the land of another 
 person, or in the street or highway in front of any person's 
 house, city lot, or cultivated grounds, or on the commons or 
 public grounds of any city or town, or in the street or highway 
 in front thereof, is liable in a civil action to the owner of 
 such land, or to such city or town, for treble the amount of 
 damages which may be assessed therefor, unless upon the trial it 
 appears that the trespass was casual or involuntary, or that the 
 defendant had probable cause to believe that the land on which 
 the trespass was committed was the defendant's, or that of the 
 person in whose service or by whose direction the act was done, 
 in which case judgment shall be given for only the single 
 damages assessed.  This section shall not authorize the recovery 
 of more than the just value of timber taken from uncultivated 
 woodland for the repair of a public highway or bridge upon or 
 adjoining the land.  


    HIST: (9585) RL s 4449; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1986 c 444