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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>369824</law_id><section_number>55.1-2836</section_number><catch_line>Procedure for determination of damage</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><referred_to_by><reference>55.1-2837</reference><reference>55.1-2838</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="120" identifier="55.1">Property and Conveyances</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="5" identifier="V">Miscellaneous</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="5" identifier="28">Trespasses; Fences</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="8" identifier="8">Cutting Timber</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The owner of the land on which a trespass as described in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Damages recoverable for timber cutting" href="/55.1-2835/">55.1-2835</a> was committed shall have the right, within 90 days after the <span class="dictionary">discovery</span> of such trespass and the identity of the trespasser, to notify the trespasser and to appoint an experienced timber estimator to determine the amount of <span class="dictionary">damages</span>. For the purposes of determining <span class="dictionary">damages</span>, the value of the timber cut shall be calculated by first determining the value of the timber on the stump. Within 30 days after receiving notice of the alleged trespass and of the appointment of such estimator, the alleged trespasser, if he does not deny the <span class="dictionary">fact</span> of trespass, shall appoint an experienced timber estimator to participate with the one already so appointed in the estimation of <span class="dictionary">damages</span>. If the two estimators cannot agree, they shall select a third person, experienced and disinterested, who shall make a decision that shall be final and conclusive and not subject to <span class="dictionary">appeal</span>. The estimation of <span class="dictionary">damages</span> and the rendition of statement must be effected within 30 days from the receipt of notice of appointment, by the trespasser, of an estimator.
			If the alleged trespasser fails to appoint an estimator within the prescribed time, or to notify within such time that the <span class="dictionary">allegation</span> of the <span class="dictionary">fact</span> of trespass is disputed, the estimator appointed by the injured <span class="dictionary">party</span> may make an estimate, and collection or recovery may be had accordingly. <a id="paragraph-1379729" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-2836/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Any person who (i) severs or removes any timber from the land of another without legal right or permission or (ii) authorizes or directs the severing or removal of timber or trees from the land of another without legal right or permission shall be liable to pay to the rightful owner of the timber three times the value of the timber on the stump and shall pay to the rightful owner of the property the reforestation costs incurred not to exceed $450 per acre, the costs of ascertaining the value of the timber, any directly associated legal costs, and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the owner of the timber as a result of the trespass. <a id="paragraph-1379730" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-2836/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 8-907; 1977, c. 624, &#xA7; 55-332; 1987, c. 105; 2004, cc. 604, 615; 2016, cc. 245, 562; 2019, cc. 348, 353, 712.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
