Alaska Tree Removal & Heritage Trees Law: Statewide Landscaping Rules Rules (2026)

Alaska Timber Trespass Treble Damages Statute

Heavy RestrictionsApplies statewide across Alaska (2026)

Alaska state law universally penalizes unauthorized tree cutting on another's property under AS 09.45.730. Anyone cutting, girdling, or injuring trees without permission faces treble damages, regardless of municipality, with limited exceptions for innocent or mistaken trespass.

Key Facts

Damages multiplier: Three times actual
Statute: AS 09.45.730
Applies on: Private and public land
Innocent trespass: Actual damages only
Damage measure: Value or restoration cost

Full Breakdown

AS 09.45.730 is a statewide civil statute that applies on every parcel in Alaska. A person who cuts, girdles, or removes a tree, timber, or shrub on another's land, public lots, or street rights-of-way without authority is liable for three times the assessed damages. The treble multiplier drops to actual damages only if the trespass was unintentional, the cutter had probable cause to believe the land was theirs, or the timber was taken from unenclosed woodland to repair a public road or bridge. Damages may be measured as either lost property value or reasonable restoration cost. Local tree ordinances cannot override this civil remedy.

Violations & Penalties

Liable for treble the actual damages assessed, plus court costs and potentially attorney fees, calculated by either property value loss or restoration cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AS 09.45.730 apply to my neighbor cutting my tree?

Yes. The statute covers any unauthorized cutting on private land anywhere in Alaska, exposing the neighbor to treble damages unless they prove an honest mistake about the boundary.

Can a city override the treble damages rule?

No. AS 09.45.730 is a state civil remedy that applies uniformly. Municipalities may add tree-protection ordinances but cannot diminish this statewide damages right.

What if the cutter believed the land was theirs?

If the defendant had probable cause to believe the land belonged to them or their employer, only actual damages, not treble damages, may be recovered.