Trees removed from property by the buyer before closing
We are selling a family members house and found out the buyer had a tree and a bush removed from the backyard two weeks before closing. The house is currently vacant and they did not get permission from us to remove.
What are our options? This can’t be legal.
UPDATE: a lot of people were asking why we care. This family member had passed away and the rose bush was planted by them. We also spent countless family events in the yard so it was more personal if anything.
We pulled out due to breach of contract. It didn’t sit well with us that the buyers did this and didn’t think our relative would want these type of people in their house.
Thank you for all the responses. I think I just needed the reassurance in what has already been a difficult situation.
UPDATE 2: we understand that the tree and bush could have been removed after the buyers owned the house in two weeks. That would have been fine because they have the right to do whatever they want to the house after they own it.
If the buyers had reached out to us and asked to have this done before closing, we probably would have agreed. Instead, they trespassed and went on the property (that we still legally own) without our permission, and vandalized our property by digging up a tree and bush. It is illegal and therefore, we do not want people that have no respect for the property and laws to live there.