Hoeneß tree dispute heads to trial after settlement fails

FC Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeneß appeared in court in Munich on Thursday over two trees planted on his property in Bad Wiessee, BR reported. A neighbouring couple sued the 74-year-old, and efforts to reach an agreement failed.

Hoeneß and his wife, Susi, had two lime trees planted in May alongside three other trees that have stood there for about 20 years. They say the older trees provide shade for a farmer’s sheep. One of them must be felled because of damage, while another has already been removed. The new lime trees are intended to replace them.

The Hoeneßes said they had informed the couple in the neighbouring house about the planting in February.

Neighbours cite land easement

The neighbours are relying on a land easement dating from 1975. Under the agreement, Hoeneß may neither build on nor plant the section of land where the new trees were planted. The couple’s lawyer argued that the trees could reduce the value of their property, which would otherwise have an unobstructed view of Lake Tegernsee.

The neighbours said the view corridor and the land easement represented a financial asset. Hoeneß and his lawyer disputed whether the trees actually stood on the area covered by the easement.

Both sides accuse the other of bad faith

Hoeneß reacted angrily in court, calling the neighbours’ arguments “complete nonsense”. He said the trees did not obstruct their view because a wall, which was not transparent, already blocked the view of Lake Tegernsee. He suspected the lawsuit was harassment.

Through their lawyer, the neighbours denied wanting to make life difficult for the Hoeneßes or create “artificial trouble”. They in turn suspected that the trees had been planted to block views of the Hoeneßes’ terrace from outside. Uli and Susi Hoeneß firmly rejected that claim.

The judge unsuccessfully sought an agreement in the civil case. The parties discussed moving the trees 15 metres, removing at least one of the young trees and choosing a different type of tree. A break for consultation also failed to produce a solution.

Next hearing in about a month

After about 90 minutes, the hearing ended without an agreement. If the dispute is not settled out of court, proceedings will continue in about a month. The next hearing will initially deal only with an urgent application from the neighbours seeking an interim order for the removal of both young trees.

A possible main trial could still be as much as two years away, according to information given during the hearing.