On the quiet, upscale island of Nantucket—where million-dollar homes and stunning ocean views define the neighborhood—a bitter property dispute has erupted.
What started as a serene beachfront community has now become the backdrop for a $1.4 million lawsuit involving chopped trees, stolen views, and two next-door neighbors who are anything but friendly.
Ocean View at a Price: Longtime Trees Suddenly Disappear
Patricia Belford, 80, says her neighbor, Jonathan Jacoby, took matters into his own hands—literally.
She’s accusing the 55-year-old of trespassing onto her property in February and cutting down 16 mature trees, all without permission.
These weren’t just any trees—they were cherry, cedar, and Leyland Cypress trees that had stood tall since the 1970s.
Belford claims Jacoby removed them to enhance the ocean view from his property next door, which just so happens to be up for sale.
Lawsuit Alleges View Grab to Boost $10 Million Listing
Jacoby’s beachfront property at 3 Tautemo Way is no ordinary home.
Listed on Zillow for just under $10 million, the 4,491-square-foot house boasts “sweeping views” of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby Hummock Pond.
Or at least it does now—after the trees that once stood in the way were mysteriously removed.
According to the lawsuit, Jacoby targeted those trees to make his home more appealing to buyers.
Belford argues that most of the trees weren’t even on the shared property line—they were well inside her land at 1 Tautemo Way.
Police Called In After Discovery of the Tree Cutting
When Belford’s property manager, Matt Erisman, discovered the cut trees, he immediately reported it to the Nantucket Police Department.
The situation escalated quickly from a neighborly disagreement to a criminal investigation.
Belford herself doesn’t currently live at the property—she resides in an assisted living facility—but she’s suing through her family trust to seek justice.
Landscaper Refuses to Help and Blows the Whistle
Perhaps the most damning evidence came from Jacoby’s former landscaper, Krasimir Kirilov.
He voluntarily told police that Jacoby approached him for help cleaning up a landscaping job—work Kirilov soon realized was not on Jacoby’s own land.
Kirilov refused to participate, and his statement was included in the legal documents.
Nantucket Police concluded that Jacoby “knowingly and willfully” entered Belford’s property and cut down the trees for his own benefit.
Belford Claims Emotional and Financial Losses
In the lawsuit filed June 23, Belford details the damage done—not just to her property value but to her peace of mind.
A nursery estimated that replacing the trees alone would cost over $486,000. But that’s just part of the story.
She’s also suing for the loss of privacy, natural sound buffering, and the emotional devastation caused by seeing five decades of growth wiped out in a single act. Erisman put it bluntly:
“Much of what has been taken from the Belfords is irreplaceable, and it’s sickening.”
Legal Troubles Mount for the Neighbor in Question
Nantucket Police Lieutenant Angus MacVicar confirmed that charges are still pending against Jacoby. As of now, it’s unclear whether Jacoby lives on the island full-time or just during vacation season. His attorney has not responded to press inquiries.
Meanwhile, the case is drawing attention across the island, where property values are sky-high and privacy is gold. Nantucket’s average home price is about $4.5 million, and the island swells from 14,000 full-time residents to over 80,000 during the summer months.
Island Drama That’s Bigger Than Just Trees
For now, the leafy neighborhood feud continues to unfold—one that speaks to deeper tensions in luxury communities where space, views, and value collide. What began as a quiet tree-lined boundary has turned into a full-blown courtroom battle.
And while the view may now be unobstructed from Jacoby’s deck, the fallout is anything but pretty.