A lawsuit received class action status from the Michigan Supreme Court in which about 7,000 residents are represented against the city of Warren, MI. The lawsuit claims the homeowners' property has been damaged by roots from silver maple trees mandated by the city, alleging that they have caused significant damage to their sewer lines and sidewalks, among other things. The Detroit suburb of Warren has offered to pay half the cost of removing trees and repairing sidewalk damage done by the tree roots.
The lawsuit began in 2000 when 23 residents filed suit against the city, but the case was denied class action status by a Macomb County Circuit Court. In 2003, the ruling was overturned by the state Court of Appeals, citing it "would promote the convenient administration of justice." The state Supreme Court has agreed and is sending the case back to the Macomb County Circuit Court. The plaintiffs have stated they are seeking to obtain fair and just compensation for the homeowners.
