Minnesota Legislature
Office of the Revisor of Statutes
2006 Minnesota Statutes
This is an historical version of this statute chapter. Also view the most recent published version.
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.
History: (9585) RL s 4449; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1986 c 444
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.
History: (9585) RL s 4449; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1986 c 444
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes