Simpsons co-creator Matt Groening is at war with neighbors who are cutting down 100-year-old protected pine trees outside his $11.7million mansion 

  • Groening is fighting with the residents in his Santa Monica neighborhood 
  • Neighbors are trying to build a parking lot outside the gates of his house 
  • Began chopping trees down after they found they weren't pruned by city 
  • But Groening contacted LA city officials, who said they were protected 
  • They sent an emergency team in to stop workers cutting them down 

By Wills Robinson For Dailymail.com

Published: 13:52 EST, 23 September 2015 | Updated: 11:31 EST, 24 September 2015

Simpsons co-creator Matt Groening is at war with neighbors who are cutting down pine trees outside his mansion.

The 61-year-old animator who started the hit series in 1989 was furious when residents in his luxury Santa Monica neighborhood called in a crew to chop down the 100-year-old protected trees.

According to TMZ, their aim is to build a parking lot in front of the gates to Groening's $11.7million, five bedroom home.

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Row: Simpsons co-creator Matt Groening is at war with neighbors who are cutting down pine trees outside his home in Santa Monica, California (pictured) 

Row: Simpsons co-creator Matt Groening is at war with neighbors who are cutting down pine trees outside his home in Santa Monica, California (pictured) 

Beloved: The animator was furious when residents in his luxury neighborhood called in a crew to chop down the 100-year-old protected trees (pictured before two were cut) so they could build a parking lot

Beloved: The animator was furious when residents in his luxury neighborhood called in a crew to chop down the 100-year-old protected trees (pictured before two were cut) so they could build a parking lot

A number of influential residents - including Bobby Shriver, the former Santa Monica mayor - were also outraged and tried to stop the workers.

One neighbor even chained himself to one of the trees in protest. 

The contractors initially contacted the City of Santa Monica to ask if the trees were protected.

They said they had no pruning records, meaning the neighbors were entitled to cut the trees down.

But when Shriver's wife Malissa got in touch with officials for the City of Los Angeles, they realized that the trees were on their side of the border.

Therefore the agency sent in an emergency team to stop the workers - but they arrived after two trees had already been floored.

All of the parties involved are now trying to determine whether the residents can remove the trees.

Groening purchased the sprawling property in 2011. It has several wings, a garden, tennis courts and a swimming pool.

The gated resort-like property, which has panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, occupies a corner lot that encompasses more than half an acre.

It is also just a few blocks from the beach.  

The main house was originally designed by architect Robert D. Farquhar in 1910 but the inclusion of the luxury amenities has seen it expand.

According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, Groening is estimated to be worth around $500 million. 

He has won twelve Primetime Emmy Awards for his series: ten for the Simpsons and two for Futurama. 

Reaction: Groening (pictured in July) stepped in with other residents and contacted Los Angeles city officials who informed them that the trees were on their side of the border with Santa Monica, so they could not be chopped down. Now all parties are trying to determine whether they can be removed

Reaction: Groening (pictured in July) stepped in with other residents and contacted Los Angeles city officials who informed them that the trees were on their side of the border with Santa Monica, so they could not be chopped down. Now all parties are trying to determine whether they can be removed

Sprawling property: Groening purchased the sprawling property in 2011. It has several wings, a garden, tennis courts and a swimming pool. The trees are situated at the front of the house 

Sprawling property: Groening purchased the sprawling property in 2011. It has several wings, a garden, tennis courts and a swimming pool. The trees are situated at the front of the house 

Success: Groening, who started the hit cartoon series in 1989, is said to be worth around $500million. He has won twelve Primetime Emmy Awards for his series: ten for the Simpsons and two for Futurama

Success: Groening, who started the hit cartoon series in 1989, is said to be worth around $500million. He has won twelve Primetime Emmy Awards for his series: ten for the Simpsons and two for Futurama

 

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