If a tree falls on Billy Corgan's property and crashes into the property of Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart, does it make a sound?
Probably — and it's definitely sparked a lawsuit.
Actors Dane and Gayheart filed suit against the Smashing Pumpkins frontman Corgan in Los Angeles Superior Court last week, alleging that a eucalyptus tree at Corgan's Beverly Hills residence caused significant damage to their home during a November 2011 windstorm.
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According to the suit, Corgan's property sports numerous eucalyptus trees that have been neglected and have grown tall enough to fall into neighboring properties — and that's exactly what happened to the Danes' home during the windstorm last year. (The suit also alleges that a falling tree at Corgan's home fell onto a neighbor's property on a previous occasion.)
The complaint alleges that the tree took out power lines and broke a high-pressure fire sprinkler, causing the Dane residence to flood. Rebecca, home alone and nine months pregnant, was forced to flee her flooding home with her 20-month-old daughter in tow, navigating a flooding property that was surrounded by high-voltage wires — in the dark, since the power was knocked out.
The suit says that another neighbor previously warned Corgan about the trees via his representative, and that he trimmed the ones closest to her property, but "failed to perform necessary maintenance to numerous other eucalyptus trees throughout the Corgan property, including a number of trees … in particularly close proximity to the Dane dwelling."
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That representative has not yet responded to TheWrap's request for comment.
Several of the trees suffer from rot, making them particularly susceptible to uprooting, according to the complaint.
The Danes have been forced to live away from their home for nearly a year as repairs are completed, the suit says, and are reluctant to move back because another tree might fall and damage their property again.
Perhaps worst of all, the suit alleges, Corgan has been a big meanie throughout the whole ordeal, and has refused to make things right.
"Despite his knowledge of the incident and the significant damage it has caused to the Dane dwelling, Corgan has failed to show any remorse, to reach out to the Danes in any way, to make restitution for the significant damages he caused, or take any measures to remove the remaining improperly maintained and/or rotten eucalyptus trees from the Corgan property," the suit reads.
Alleging trespass, nuisance and negligence, the suit is seeking unspecified damages, interest, attorney's fees and the costs of bringing the suit. Oh, and The Danes also want the allegedly perilous trees professionally removed.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.