‘This is a literal crime’

A viral Reddit post captured a homeowner’s devastation after finding that neighbors had destroyed their sunflower field while they were away on vacation.

Shared in r/NoLawns, the original poster wrote, “All that dead brown area was a whole field of sunflowers. Finding dead bees everywhere and I’m so heartbroken.” The thread has since blown up as users debate legality and accountability, sharing practical advice and blunt takes.

Beyond personal loss, the incident highlights how neighbors can sometimes hinder home upgrades that aim to reduce environmental impact.

The original poster’s experience isn’t the only example of fellow neighborhood residents thwarting such initiatives. Other homeowners shared similar stories about neighbors damaging gardens, attempting to cut down banana trees, and tearing up large sections of land.

The problem doesn’t only come from neighbors. Homeowners associations and landlords sometimes also enforce strict rules that prevent homeowners from making environmentally friendly efforts, such as rewilding their yard or installing solar panels.

More than beautifying a property, trees and native plants play an important role in combating rising global temperatures and mitigating extreme weather events. A study published in the journal Landscape and Urban Planning found that native plants support biodiversity in urban settings, and cultivating threatened native plant species can help with their conservation.

To address a neighbor’s opposition to green upgrades, homeowners should document issues, review local ordinances when conflicts persist, and seek legal advice if property damage or violations occur.

“Don’t get ‘revenge’. This is a literal crime you can report to the police that they destroyed your property. Don’t wait, do it now,” one Redditor wrote.

“Im a flower farmer. I charge $1-5 per stem depending on the variety. You have a case if you have evidence,” said another user.

Homeowners can also work with local groups to address community issues and implement pro-environment initiatives.

“First thing I would do is get a camera up to capture anyone driving through the yard. And then take footage to the police,” recommended another.

“Yeah that’s civil suit territory. Make a police report and hire a lawyer,” a Redditor commented.

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