Island property disputes intensify: Individual accused of felling neighbor's trees for ocean vista, escalating tensions
In the picturesque island of Nantucket, a legal standoff is unfolding between Patricia Belford, an 80-year-old resident, and Jonathan Jacoby, a 55-year-old property owner. The dispute, which began in February 2025, revolves around an allegation of trespassing and the unauthorized cutting down of 16 mature trees on Belford's property.
Belford, who represents her family's trust, claims that Jacoby intentionally cut the trees to expand the ocean view from his home at 3 Tautemo Way. The lawsuit, which seeks over $1.4 million in damages, argues that the trees provided privacy, shade, noise mitigation, and aesthetic value to Belford's property.
The contemporary home owned by Belford boasts sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and Hummock Pond, as described on Zillow. However, the lawsuit alleges that the tree-cutting incident has caused significant economic and emotional damage. The replacement cost for the removed trees exceeds $486,000, according to the filed document.
The Nantucket Police Department (NPD) launched an investigation into the incident, and charges are pending against Jacoby related to the tree-cutting act. NPD Lieutenant Angus MacVicar confirmed this development. Krasimir Kirilov, Jacoby's former landscaper, provided a voluntary statement to police admitting Jacoby's involvement and describing cleanup efforts that were unknown to Belford's property manager at the time.
Jacoby's actions were not only economically damaging but also emotionally devastating for Belford. Many of the trees taken down were far from the property line shared by Belford and Jacoby. Much of what has been taken from the Belfords, Belford asserts, is irreplaceable.
The case is progressing with a civil suit for damages ongoing, and criminal charges against Jacoby are pending as of early July 2025. No response has been obtained from Jacoby's attorney when contacted by the media. It is unclear if Jacoby lives in Nantucket full-time, and his lawyer did not respond to the Current's request for comment.
Nantucket, with its average home price of roughly $4.5 million as of May 2025, has become a popular destination for wealthy vacationers. The island's year-round population stands at approximately 14,200, but this swells to over 80,000 during the summer.
Erisman, Belford's attorney, expressed confidence that justice will be served once all facts and evidence have been presented. The outcome of this case is eagerly awaited by both parties and the Nantucket community.
The ongoing news about the legal standoff between Patricia Belford and Jonathan Jacoby in Nantucket extends to lifestyle and home-and-garden aspects, as the dispute involves mature trees on Belford's property that were reportedly unauthorizedly cut down for ocean view expansion. The damages sought in the lawsuit also include the loss of privacy, shade, noise mitigation, and aesthetic value, with a replacement cost for the removed trees exceeding $486,000.
