A few months ago, I pulled into my driveway after work and had a strange sensation that I was at the wrong house. Something was very wrong. I couldn’t immediately put my finger on it, though, so I shrugged it off and went on into my house. I grabbed the dogs’ leashes and headed out for our evening walk. As I descended my driveway, it hit me. Or rather, it didn’t hit me. There were no mimosa leaves to walk through. I looked on either side of my driveway and saw nothing but stumps. Someone had cut the mimosas that gently draped across my driveway down to their very stumps.
I gasped audibly. One dog cowered because that sound is usually preceded by a stern scolding for her destructive behavior. I couldn’t speak. Someone had walked 10 feet onto my property and leveled my trees! I was literally in so much shock that I had difficulty breathing. This may sound like an overreaction to many, but I don’t care. I loved those trees with a passion. Let me tell you why.
I fell in love with mimosa trees when I did a lot of traveling through Kentucky and West Virginia. I found the blossoms so delicate, yet vivid, I had to stop on the side of highway to investigate.
They were the sweetest blooms I had ever seen. The leaves gently draped down with the pretty and colorful blooms on the tops. Such gorgeous trees! And so many! As soon as I got to my home I searched my local nurseries to buy some seedlings. 
That is when I discovered that mimosas were on the Invasive Species list and my state would not sell them. I was devastated but looked forward each year to my drive to Kentucky so that I could admire the mimosa trees along the highway.
I eventually moved to a different state and went looking to buy a new house. The fourth house I saw had sets of mimosas on either side of the driveway in full bloom. The leaves of the mimosas gently brushed the roof of my car as I passed in between them as if to say, “Welcome home!” I was overjoyed. I bought the house after giving the inside a cursory look. Who cared? I had mimosa trees!!!
Article comments
1 - Summer Said
Horrendous invasion of your property and I would venture to guess not only illegal but an infringement of your rights as a citizen, possibly even your constitutional rights! I'd be insensed. There can be no possible defense in a case such as this under the Constitution. Clearly a case of an illiegal, undemocratic, corporate monopoly raping one's life and property. I am so sorry for your loss and it disgusts me that this is how business is done in America these days. I love Mimosa trees too.
2 - John Lake
The small claims wasn't a bad idea. Wouldn't put back the trees, tho.
Reading your article, very nice, by the way, I was hoping for some larger pictures of the trees in bloom. Maybe you could throw in a follow up, maybe with some new trees from the garden shop, and with some neat pictures.
3 - Alexandria Jackson
Summer - I'm so glad to hear your opinion because I thought mine was over the top! Thanks so much.
John L - thanks, I'll see what I can do...
4 - Captain Akhmed
May the fleas of a thousand camels infest the infidels that cut down your blessed Mimosas.
5 - Anarcissie
I believe they'll grow back. My landlord wanted to cut down all 'my' mimosas, but after a certain amount of discussion he agreed that if I destroyed the one growing next to the foundation of the house I could leave the others. I had to cut the condemned tree down several years in a row before it gave up the ghost. The others are doing very well. They're hard to kill.
I do find the urge to cut down harmless decorative trees rather odd, but it seems to be in some people's genes.
If they're invasive species we humans should give them a pass as a matter of professional courtesy.
6 - Stacy
What a bunch of jacka__es!! This is why we need unions. This is why we need regulations. To protect the little guy (or tree) from jerks who have too much power.
I hope your trees grow fast and strong.
We need more trees than we need these jerks.