She warned her HOA the 'leaning tree' was dangerous. They ignored her — until it fell, trapped her inside, and made the news

Ignoring repeated safety complaints can sometimes have costly consequences. North Chesterfield resident Tamara Allen had been living on Provincetown Drive for 16 years. She recently found herself in a sticky situation after her complaints fell on deaf ears. She had raised concerns with her HOA about a leaning tree in front of her house since September 2025, but no one paid attention until the tree eventually snapped, blocking the sidewalk outside her home and making it difficult for her to get in and out. But she found a way to make sure people finally paid attention, 12 On Your Side reported on August 5, 2026.

'I've gotten so livid'

Allen said she repeatedly complained about the leaning tree, fearing it would eventually fall. She was afraid it would fall and damage her home. She told the news outlet, "It’s been gradually coming down. Gradually coming. That’s why I’ve gotten so livid because it’s gradually coming and you’ve had plenty of time to get it repaired or get it fixed." When it finally collapsed in her front yard, obstructing the sidewalk, the HOA responded and said that the tree posed no threat to her house. "It’s still blocking the sidewalk. It looks like that should be something ADA compliant, that sidewalks have to be clear, even if it’s not going to hit my house," Allen insisted, raising accessibility concerns, particularly for people with disabilities. She couldn't use her sidewalk and used her neighbor's yard to get to her front door.

One interview changed their tune

After months of no action, Allen reached out to 12 On Your Side. She wrote an email to the property manager to inform them that a news crew was coming. Their response was immediate. They assured her that the tree would be cleared in the next few days. Allen was tired of fighting for something that was not her responsibility in the first place. She said, "This is community property. It’s not on my land. It’s not on my property at all. If it was on my property, I’m sure they would have sent me something, giving me a timeframe to have it removed ASAP." Finally, two days after her interview, the tree was cleared from her front yard.

Slow property managers

The relationship between a property manager and a tenant can be strained without proper communication. According to a 2016 Avvo survey, 33% said their property manager took way too long to make repairs. While Allen's case involved tree removal rather than a repair, she similarly felt the property manager delayed addressing an issue she believed affected residents' safety.

Visits resumed

All this time, Allen's father could not visit her. He had to use the sidewalk due to a disability, but now that the tree had been cleared, he could visit again. Allen concluded, "The safety issue is gone. We can walk out. Clearly not tripping, not falling, not afraid of an animal or something up under there."

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