How to terminate a landscape committee

We have a landscape committee that has absolutely no experperince in horticuliture or landscape. I planted two small tree after filling out a application. They reluctantly approved it for various reasons. 6 months later they slashed one tree down in middle of the night and put round-up on the other tree. I paid $400 for these two trees.
What is the best way to get rid of this committee. The committee is either on the board or buddies with board members.

thanks

You might also volunteer to join the committee. I know you're upset about the trees and should be, but that means the committee should be tossed altogether. It may be they didn't have experience with your tree - in which case you could have provided information about the trees at the time you submitted your exterior change request.

You also said they "reluctantly approved it for various reasons", but didn't say what the reasons were or how you addressed them at that time. No one knows everything, and maybe a little more communication - on BOTH SIDES - could have prevented this.

If you haven't already done so, go to the board and talk about what happened to the trees. You said all this happened in the middle of the night, which seems really odd - are you SURE the board is responsible? If you have proof, present it and ask for compensation, and if they balk, talk to a private attorney about your options. Once this issue gets resolved, you can offer your services on the committee (they may be happy for a volunteer to talk something off their plate). Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

Check your bylaws to see if this committee is even required, or if it's optional. Typically, committees serve at the pleasure of the board, members can be removed with or without cause, and the entire committee can be disbanded altogether unless it's required by the bylaws.

If the committee members are buddies with the board, you may have an uphill battle, though. In which case...

Aside from handing the board the bill for the damaged trees, you may also want to discuss liability - this should get the attention of competent board members.

In addition to damage to personal property, the board needs to consider what can happen if uninsured volunteers are doing physical labor or are dealing with chemicals. (Seriously, is nobody paying attention to the Roundup lawsuits?) Even if these committee members are covered by workers comp and other insurance, that may not protect the HOA if a committee member ends up with cancer and decides to sue the HOA because of alleged chemical exposure. Competent boards generally employ lawn care professionals who are trained and insured by their employers - clearly not what's going on in this case.

Use of volunteers for physical labor would get my attention, even if they hadn't damaged my property. I'd be sending the board a letter specifically addressing insurance needs and the possibility of lawsuits.

I have dealt with a number of SFRs that have architectural guidelines that deal with landscaping, what kind of trees to plant, etc. This is not uncommon.

Please do clarify: Where were these trees: Your lot? Common area?