Court Opinion

ID: 9914116
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-12-29 17:07:13.373625+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:10:19.438829
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Scioto Land Co. v. Knauff, 2023-Ohio-4821.]

                         IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                            FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                  ROSS COUNTY

SCIOTO LAND COMPANY, LLC,                         :
                                                  :    Case No. 22CA8
        Plaintiff-Appellee,                       :
                                                  :
        v.                                        :    DECISION AND JUDGMENT
                                                  :    ENTRY
JOSHUA R. KNAUFF,                                 :
                                                  :
        Defendant-Appellant.                      :    RELEASED: 12/26/23
                                                  :

                                       APPEARANCES:

James R. Kingsley, Circleville, Ohio, for Appellant.

James S. Savage and Douglas J. Segerman, Luper Neidenthal & Logan,
Columbus, Ohio, for Appellee.

Wilkin, J.

        {¶1} Appellant, Joshua R. Knauff (“Knauff”), is appealing a Ross County

Court of Common Pleas judgment entry that granted appellee, Scioto Land

Company, LLC, (“Scioto”) $12,356.00 in compensatory damages, which was

trebled pursuant to R.C. 901.51 to equal $37,068.00, $5,698.00 in punitive

damages, and $23,134.62 in attorney fees for a timber theft case.

        {¶2} Scioto filed a complaint alleging that Knauff had stolen timber from its

property. The trial court awarded Scioto $42,766.00 in both compensatory and

punitive damages and $23,134.62 in attorney fees. Knauff appeals asserting

four assignments of error: (1) The trial court erred when it awarded treble

damages for cutting trees, (2) The trial court erred when it awarded damages

based on plaintiff’s expert who testified to a flawed sawmill evaluation, (3) The
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                  2

trial court erred when it did not require plaintiff to elect its remedy between

statutory and common law tort, and (4) the trial court erred when it struck Mr.

Comstock’s valuation. Scioto filed a reply brief.

       {¶3} After reviewing the parties’ arguments, the evidence, and the

applicable law, we affirm in part and reverse in part the trial court’s judgment, and

remand the matter for further consideration consistent with our decision.

                 I.     FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

       {¶4} On August 13, 2020, Scioto filed a four-count complaint against

Knauff alleging that (1) Knauff trespassed on Scioto’s property causing Scioto

damage, (2) Knauff was liable to Scioto under R.C. 901.51 for recklessly

removing trees from Scioto’s property causing damage, (3) Knauff converted

Scioto’s timber by cutting trees from Scioto’s property and selling them, and (4)

Knauff was unjustly enriched by selling timber from Scioto’s property and

retaining the proceeds. Scioto sought damages in excess of $25,000. On

November 12, 2020, Knauff filed an answer denying many of Scioto’s allegations

and moved the court to dismiss Scioto’s complaint.

       {¶5} Scioto filed a motion for summary judgment on all claims alleging that

Knauff admitted to liability to all issues, except that he was reckless in cutting

down the trees on Scioto’s property. Scioto alleged that it suffered a loss of

$12,356.00 as a result of Knauff cutting down trees on its property. Scioto

argued that there was no genuine issue of material fact that Knauff was

recklessly, if not intentionally, cutting down trees on Scioto’s property.

Specifically, Scioto maintained that Knauff’s crew walked a quarter of a mile
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                   3

through Scioto’s property before they reached some of the trees that they cut

down. Therefore, Scioto sought a judgment of treble damages under R.C.

901.51, which permits recovery for persons who “recklessly cut down * * *

tree[s][.]” Knauff filed a memorandum contra. Knauff alleged that certain

material facts were disputed, including whether his crew was reckless in cutting

down the trees on Scioto’s property. On June 21, 2021, the trial court issued a

judgment granting Scioto partial summary judgment on Scioto’s conversion

claim.

         {¶6} The court held a trial on the remaining issues. Both parties

presented expert witnesses offering opinions as to the value of the trees taken

from Scioto’s property. Scioto’s expert, Don Rawn, testified that Scioto suffered

$12,356.00 in compensatory damages. In contrast, Knauff’s expert, George

Comstock, testified that Scioto’s damages were $4,798.45.

         {¶7} The trial court issued its decision and judgment entry finding Knauff

liable for conversion of all trees and trespass. The court further found that Scioto

suffered $12,356.00 in compensatory damages, which was the “market value of

the trees[.]” Because the court found that Knauff’s actions in cutting down the

trees were reckless, the court trebled Scioto’s compensatory damages under

R.C. 901.51 for a total of $37,068.00. The court also found that Knauff acted

with “actual malice” in cutting Scioto’s trees and awarded $5,698.00 in punitive

damages. Finally, the court awarded Scioto $23,134.62 in attorney fees. It is

this judgment that Knauff appeals.
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                   4

                          II.     ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

I.     THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT AWARDED TREBLE DAMAGES
       FOR CUTTING TREES

II.    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT AWARDED DAMAGES BASED
       ON PLAINTIFF’S EXPERT WHO TESTIFIED TO A FLAWED SAWMILL
       EVALUATION

III.   THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT DID NOT REQUIRE PLAINTIFF
       TO ELECT ITS REMEDY BETWEEN STATUTORY AND COMMON LAW
       TORT.

IV.    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT STRUCK MR. COMSTOCK’S
       VALUATION

                                ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I

       {¶9} Knauff argues that the trial court erred when it awarded Scioto treble

damages for cutting trees along the boundary. Knauff alleges that he “took all

reasonable precautions” to determine the boundary between his property and

Scioto’s. Knauff claims that he sought to define the property line by using a

compass and a string. Using his compass, Knauff alleged that he correctly

located the first pin, but misidentified the second pin. The correct pin was 30 feet

from the one that he had identified. Therefore, when Knauff connected the pins

with the string, he failed to properly identify the property line between Knauff’s

property and Scioto’s. As a result of Knauff’s mistake, he maintains that his

actions of cutting down the trees, with the exception of the five walnut trees

located deeper into Scioto’s property, did not fit the definition of reckless, which is

acting with heedless indifference to the consequences. Rather, his actions in

mismarking the property line were mere negligence that resulted in cutting down

the trees on Scioto’s property. Consequently, the trial court erred in trebling his
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                   5

damages under R.C. 901.51, which allows such damages only if there is a

finding that the trees were recklessly cut.

       {¶10} In response, Scioto maintains that the trial court’s finding of

recklessness is supported by the manifest weight of the evidence. Scioto claims

that Knauff’s actions in mismarking the property boundary were reckless is

supported by the following: (1) Knauff could have used the auditor’s website to

properly locate the boundary, but did not; (2) Knauff could have used an

available phone app that would have properly located the boundary, but did not,

(3) Knauff ignored orange paint marks on trees that clearly marked the boundary,

(4) Knauff failed to flag the trees on the boundary, (5) Knauff ignored the iron

stake and ancient fence that marked the boundary between the properties, (6)

Knauff changed the methodology of the cut when he cut the most valuable trees

on Scioto’s property, and finally (7) Knauff cut trees at night to avoid detection.

                                         A. Law

                                1. Standard of Review

       {¶11} “A trial court's determination of ‘recklessness’ and its decision to

award treble damages pursuant to that statute is reviewed under the general

some competent credible evidence ‘manifest weight of the evidence’ standard of

review[.]” (Citation omitted) Barker v. McCoy, 4th Dist. Pike No. 14CA849, 2015-

Ohio-3127, ¶ 20, quoting Spurlock v. Douglas, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 02CA19,

2003-Ohio-570, ¶ 17. In making an evaluation “[t]he trier of fact ‘is free to believe

all, part or none of the testimony of any witness,’ and we ‘defer to the trier of fact

on these evidentiary weight and credibility issues because it is in the best
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                    6

position to gauge the witnesses’ demeanor, gestures, and voice inflections, and

to use these observations to weigh their credibility.’ ” State v. Bennett, 4th Dist.

Ross No. 21CA3751, 2023-Ohio-2734, ¶ 56, quoting State v. Dillard, 4th Dist.

Meigs No. 13CA9, 2014-Ohio-4974, ¶ 28, citing State v. West, 4th Dist. Scioto

No. 12CA3507, 2014-Ohio-1941, ¶ 23.

                                    2. R.C. 901.51

  {¶12} R.C. 901.51 states:

        No person, without privilege to do so, shall recklessly cut down,
        destroy, girdle, or otherwise injure a vine, bush, shrub, sapling,
        tree, or crop standing or growing on the land of another or upon
        public land.
        In addition to the penalty provided in section 901.99 of the Revised
        Code, whoever violates this section is liable in treble damages for
        the injury caused. (Emphasis added.)

        R.C. 2901.22(C) states:

        A person acts recklessly when, with heedless indifference to the
        consequences, he perversely disregards a known risk that his
        conduct is likely to cause a certain result or is likely to be of a
        certain nature. A person is reckless with respect to circumstances
        when, with heedless indifference to the consequences, he
        perversely disregards a known risk that such circumstances are
        likely to exist.

                                    B. Analysis

       {¶13} We begin our analysis by recognizing that Knauff admitted that he

was responsible for cutting down all the trees in question and all of the trees

were on Scioto’s property. He further admits that his actions were reckless in

cutting down the five walnut trees that were located deep into Scioto’s property.

The question is whether Knauff was reckless in cutting the remainder of the

trees. Knauff claims that his failure to properly identify the property line, which
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                  7

resulted in the trees being cut from Scioto’s property was not reckless, but was

rather merely a mistake. Therefore, he claims, his actions were negligent, not

reckless.

       {¶14} The evidence indicated that in April 2020, Scioto received multiple

phone calls from neighbors who believed that based on equipment sounds

someone was cutting trees on Scioto’s property at night. Testimony established

that cutting trees at night was “highly unusual.” And there is evidence that the

stumps discovered in April 2020 were “freshly” cut.

       {¶15} In order to determine whether the stolen trees were on Scioto’s

property, Mike Bell, a Scioto employee, acquired a copy of the survey plats of

both Knauff’s property and Scioto’s property from the Ross County auditor’s

office. The evidence indicated that acquiring a survey plat of the properties in

question was a reliable and accurate method for locating physical markers and

determining property lines. Bell then walked Scioto’s property near its boundary

with Knauff’s property and using the information from these survey plats, he

accurately identified the property line by locating the pin and a historical fence

from the survey. Bell discovered the remnants of the historical fence, which was

made of wire, using a metal detector. Using this boundary, Bell determined that

all the trees cut in this case were on Scioto’s property.

       {¶16} Bell also testified that marking trees with orange paint is a method

used in southern Ohio to identify property lines. Bell stated that Scioto’s property

line with Knauff’s property was “consistently marked” by trees bearing orange

paint markings prior to when Scioto’s trees were cut down. At least one of the
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                                8

marked trees was within 20 to 30 feet from a skid trail that began on Knauff’s

property and continued approximately ¼ of a mile into Scioto’s property.

        {¶17} Knauff testified that he has been a “logger” for 25 years and agreed

that marking trees with orange paint is a method used by property owners in

southern Ohio to mark property lines. He also admitted that he could have

accurately identified the property line between his property and Scioto’s using

GPS.1 However, when asked how he identified the property line to ensure that

the trees he was ordering his crew to cut were on his property, he did not use

GPS or a survey plat from the Auditor’s office. Rather, he maintained that he

followed his compass “by turning the degrees that it called out on the deed.”

Knauff testified that he saw “no farm fence[,]” but in the same sentence

acknowledged seeing “bits and pieces of a barb wire.”

        {¶18} Furthermore, Knauff acknowledged, when he was marking the trees

to be cut he saw trees painted with orange dots that defined Scioto’s property,

but “didn’t really pay much attention to [Scioto’s orange] dots as I did as my dial

on my compass.”

        {¶19} Based on the aforementioned testimony and various exhibits, we

find there is some evidence supporting the trial court’s holding that Knauff acted

recklessly when marking the boundary between his property and Scioto’s.

Therefore, we overrule Knauff’s first assignment of error.

        1
           GPS or the Global Positioning System is “a U.S.-owned utility that provides [civilian and
military] users with positioning * * * services.” www.gps.gov.gov/systems/gps/.
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                    9

                              ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II

       {¶20} Knauff asserts that “sawmill” valuation relied upon by the trial court

is not the proper method of valuing timber for a conversion claim. Knauff claims

the law does not recognize a sawmill value of timber. He asserts “stumpage” is

the proper measure of damages in this case. Knauff maintains that stumpage is

the price paid for “a license to cut trees.”

       {¶21} Knauff claims that his expert testified that “stumpage” was the

proper method for determining damages in this case, while Scioto’s expert

testified that “the fair market value of the tree once delivered to the sawmill” was

the proper method to determine the damages herein. Knauff claims that market

value of a tree delivered to the mill is improper because it includes “the cost of

production of goods which must be deducted from the sales price.”

       {¶22} Knauff claims that “[e]ven if sawmill valuation is a proper measure of

damages, an element of that test is the cost of removal and delivery to the

sawmill which was not proven.” Knauff claims that

        [d]amages must reflect the actual cost of doing business. There
        was a cost to cut and deliver the timber which was not addressed.
        Therefore, the damages are artificially high.          The court
        erroneously awarded the finished mill value of the board feet in a
        tree and ignored the cost to the landowner to cut and deliver, as
        well as the profit of the mill.

       {¶23} In response, Scioto maintains its expert, Don Rawn, testified to the

“stumpage” value of Scioto’s timber that was taken by Knauff. Quoting Brand v.

Ogle, Scioto also maintains “ ‘the measure of damages in a conversion action is

the value of the property at the time of the conversion[,]’ ” using market value.
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                 10

2020-Ohio-3219, 155 N.E.3d. 37 (4th Dist.), ¶ 15, quoting Wright v. Miller, 4th

Dist. Highland No. 752, 1991 WL 37926, *4 (Mar. 11, 1991). Scioto claims that

“either way you analyze it[,]” the damages are correct.

                                    A. Law

                           1. Standard of Review

       {¶24} Knauff’s second assignment of error challenges the trial court’s

failure to properly determine the measure of damages for the stolen timber. “The

adoption of the appropriate measure of damages presents a legal question which

we review de novo.” Outer Space Signs, L.L.C. v. Clagg, 4th Dist. Jackson No.

12CA11, 2013-Ohio-4350, ¶ 7, citing Werr v. Moccabee, 4th Dist. Ross No.

07CA2986, 2008-Ohio-595, ¶ 8. This means we will afford no deference to the

trial court’s determination of the appropriate measure of damages for the

wrongfully removed timber. McNichols v. Gouge Quality Roofing, LLC., 2022-

Ohio-3294, 195 N.E.3d 1119, ¶ 25 (4th Dist.), citing Snyder v. Watkins, 4th Dist.

Athens No. 08CA3006, 2008-Ohio-4909, ¶ 10.

                       2. Damages in a Timber Theft Case

       {¶25} In Denoyer v. Lamb, the First District Court of Appeals recognized

that “[t]imber cut or to be cut for commercial purposes may be valued in several

ways: “stumpage” is the value of the undisturbed timber standing or lying on the

land; add to that the cost of felling and hauling, to find the value of the logs; add

to that, again, all costs of manufacture, to obtain the value of the finished

product.” (Footnote omitted.) 22 Ohio App. 3d 136, 140, 490 N.E.2d 615 (1st

Dist. 1984. Relying primarily upon Denoyer, this Court held that “when a
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                 11

trespasser's cutting of trees represents part of the damage done to the property

of another, the stumpage value of the trees taken is a proper measure of

damages.” Francis v. Wilson, 4th Dist. Washington No. 97CA40, 1999 WL

33507, * 7, citing Denoyer at 140, 490 N.E.2d 615, 4 Restatement of the Law 2d,

Torts (1979), Section 929(2).

                                  B. Analysis

         {¶26} Knauff claims that the trial court erred in relying on Rawn’s valuation

for Scioto’s timber because “the cost of production of goods” must be deducted

from the sales price of the goods to get the stumpage value. Although Knauff

does not explain what he means by the “cost of production[,]” it appears that he

is referring to his crew’s cutting and hauling away of Scioto’s trees. Knauff’s

argument ignores that stumpage, as explained in Denoyer, is the price paid by

the purchaser “to enter upon the land and to cut down and remove the trees[.]”

(Emphasis added.) Denoyer, 22 Ohio App. 3d at 140, 490 N.E.2d 615 (1st Dist.

1984). Therefore, we find that stumpage’s “price to cut” implicitly takes into

account, not only the value of the trees, but the cost of cutting and hauling the

trees.

         {¶27} In valuing Scioto’s trees, Rawn multiplied the board feet of the

timber taken by the value of the various species of trees set out in the Ohio

Timber Price Report (“report”) to conclude that Scioto’s timber should be valued

at $12,356.00. The report “is a compilation of data received when Ohio forest

products companies are surveyed as to what prices they are paying for

material. The report lists price data for sawlogs delivered to the mill ad for
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                  12

stumpage.” (Emphasis added.) Ohio Timber Price Report (“report”) Ohio

Woodland Stewards Program (osu.edu). Thus, the pricing data in the table is

based on the price paid by companies for timber, which necessarily includes the

costs of cutting and hauling of tree(s) to the mill. This valuation is consistent with

our definition of stumpage discussed supra. Therefore, we find that Rawn’s

valuation of Scioto’s timber was its stumpage value.

       {¶28} Although the trial court’s decision referenced Rawn’s valuation as

the “market value” of the timber, it was in fact stumpage. Therefore, we reject

Knauff’s argument that the trial court erred by relying on Rawn’s valuation

because it included “the cost of production.”

       {¶29} Without support of any legal authority, Knauff alternatively claims

that if the trial court did not err in its valuation of Scioto’s trees, Scioto’s damages

should be reduced by the cost Knauff incurred in cutting and hauling the trees

from Scioto’s property to the mill. We disagree.

       {¶30} “In an action for conversion against an intentional wrongdoer, the

plaintiff may recover the full value of the property, without any deduction for the

wrongdoer’s expenses based on the rationale that a thief may not gain by his or

her own wrong.” 18 Ohio Jurisprudence 3d, Conversion and Replevin, Section

37, fn 4, citing Tracy v. Athens & Pomeroy Coal & Land Co., 115 Ohio St. 298,

152 N.E. 641 (1926); Brady v. Stafford, 115 Ohio St. 67, 152 N.E. 188 (1926).

       {¶31} In the instant case, the trial court found that Knauff acted with

“conscious disregard for the rights of [Scioto] in a manner that had a great

probability of causing, and in fact did cause, substantial harm.” Knauff should not
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                  13

receive a gain for his own wrongdoing. Therefore, we find that Knauff is not

entitled to any credit to Scioto’s damages for the expenses associated with the

cutting and hauling of Scioto’s trees.

       {¶32} Accordingly, we overrule Knauf’s second assignment of error.

                          ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III.

       {¶33} In his third assignment of error, Knauff asserts that the trial court

committed prejudicial error when it failed to require Scioto to elect between

recovering either treble damages under R.C. 901.51 or punitive damages.

Knauff asserts that an election between the treble damages and punitive

damages is necessary to prevent double recovery. By way of analogy, Knauff

cites Kulch v. Structural Fibers Inc., 78 Ohio St.3d 134, 677 N.E.2d 308 (1997),

in which the court held that the plaintiff had to elect between Whistleblower

statutory damages and common law tort damages because collecting both would

permit double recovery.

       {¶34} In response, Scioto asserts that the treble damages under R.C.

901.51 are distinct from punitive damages so no election between the two was

required as this court held in Barker, 4th Dist. Pike No. 14CA849, 2015-Ohio-

3127. Scioto maintains that Knauff acted recklessly justifying treble damages

under R.C. 901.51 and with actual malice justifying punitive damages.

                                         A. Law

                                1. Standard of Review

       {¶35} [W]hether a trial court applies the correct legal standard is a

question of law we review de novo. Brand, 2020-Ohio-3219, 155 N.E.3d 37 at ¶
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                             14

9 (4th Dist.), citing In re Name Change of Rowe, 4th Dist. Scioto No. 18CA3837,

2019-Ohio-4666, 135 N.E.3d 782, ¶ 16.

                                    2. Election of Remedies

        {¶36} Historically, “[t]he common law doctrine of election of [ ] remedies”

had a “procedural” aspect and “substantive” aspect. Olympia Hotels Corp. v.

Johnson Wax Dev. Corp., 908 F.2d 1363, 1371 (7th Cir. 1990).2 In this case, we

are concerned with only the substantive aspect of the election of remedies

doctrine, which provides “that the election of one remedial right bars pursuit of

another when one right is inconsistent with the other[.]” Saunders v. Holzer

Hosp. Found., 4th Dist. Gallia No. 08CA11, 2009-Ohio-2112, ¶ 19, quoting

Stowers v. Baron, 65 Ohio App.2d 283, 285, 418 N.E.2d 404 (6th Dist. 1979),

citing Frederickson v. Nye, 110 Ohio St. 459, 144 N.E. 299 (1924). In this

context the “purpose of the doctrine of election of remedies is to prevent double

recovery[.]” Id. at ¶ 19, citing Davis v. Rockwell Internatl. Corp., 596 F.Supp. 780

(N.D.Ohio 1984). For example, “an action in rescission and one in money

damages are different and inconsistent remedies as a matter of law.” Vollett v.

Remy, 4th Dist. Ross No. 1918, 1993 WL 415485, *2 (Oct. 15, 1993). “The

prerequisites to application of the doctrine are: (1) the existence of two or more

        2
            “The procedural aspect derive[d] from the overriding goal of common law pleading,
which was by successive rounds of pleading to narrow the issues until there was just one for
trial.” Id., citing 5 Wright & Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 1202, at p. 61 (1969).
However, the procedural aspect of the election of remedies “has been modified substantially by
the Civil Rules, including Civ.R. 8(A), which permits pleading for relief in the alternative, or of
different types [.]” Fenstermaker v. Elwood, 3d Dist. Hancock, No. 5-83-34, 17 Ohio App.3d 250
(1984). “Since Civ.R. 8(A) is procedural in nature, it [ ] supersede[s] common law doctrines
regarding the election of remedies.” Jacobs v. Vollett v. Remy, 4th Dist. Ross No. 1918, 1993 WL
415485, *3 (Oct. 15, 1993).
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                               15

remedies; (2) the inconsistency of such remedies; and (3) a choice of one of

them.” Id. at ¶ 19, quoting Davis v. Rockwell Internatl. Corp. (N.D.Ohio 1984),

596 F. Supp 780.

                                      B. Analysis

                          1. Election of Remedies as a Defense

         {¶37} On appeal, Knauff asserts the election of remedies as a defense to

Scioto’s recovery of both treble damages under R.C. 901.51 and common law

punitive damages. “It is axiomatic that election of remedies is an affirmative

defense that must be pleaded, or it is waived.” Richey Barrett Co. v. B.E.C.

Const., Inc., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 68437, 1995 WL 739616, *2, citing Civ.R.

8(C) and 12(H); Mossa v. W. Credit Union, Inc., 84 Ohio App.3d 177 (10th Dist.

1992). “However, under Civ.R. 15(B) when an issue is tried without objection

and consented to, [a reviewing] court may consider the matter.” Id., citing

Chandler v. General Motors Acceptance Company, 68 Ohio App.2d 30 (1st. Dist.

1980).

         {¶38} Scioto’s complaint sought treble damages under R.C. 901.51 and

punitive damages. Knauff’s answer did not assert election of remedies as a

defense. However, in closing arguments Knauff did argue that Scioto needed to

elect treble damages or punitive damages, and Scioto made no objection to this

argument. Therefore, we find that Knauff did not waive the ability to argue the

election of remedies as a defense.

                  2. The Election of Remedies and Double Recovery

                                  a. Ohio Law
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                16

       {¶39} Enacted in 1974, R.C. 901.51 provides:

        No person, without privilege to do so, shall recklessly cut down,
        destroy, girdle, or otherwise injure a vine, bush, shrub, sapling,
        tree, or crop standing or growing on the land of another or upon
        public land.
        In addition to the penalty provided in section 901.99 of the Revised
        Code, whoever violates this section is liable in treble damages for
        the injury caused.

In 1984, the First District Court of Appeals reviewed a timber theft case in

Denoyer, 22 Ohio App. 3d 136, 140-41, 490 N.E.2d 615 (1st Dist.1984). In

Denoyer the court stated:

        R.C. 901.51 creates a new remedy. It makes a person liable “in
        treble damages for the injury caused” by recklessly cutting,
        destroying or otherwise injuring shrubs, saplings, trees, etc., on
        the land of another, in addition to being guilty of a minor
        misdemeanor, R.C. 901.99. The owner's right to recover treble
        damages is obviously a new right, separate and apart from his
        right to recover punitive damages, because it requires proof that
        the destructive act or acts were done “recklessly” (presumably as
        defined in R.C. 2901.22[C]) rather than with actual malice.

Id. at 141; See also Barker, 4th Dist. Pike No. 14CA849, 2015-Ohio-3127, ¶ 21.

However, Denoyer also made clear that “[w]hether this new statutory right [under

R.C. 901.51] is in addition to or an alternative to the common-law right to punitive

damages is a question we do not reach and do not decide in this case.”

(Emphasis added.) Id.

       {¶40} In fact, this court and most other Ohio appellate districts have never

answered this question. The only case that we could find that discusses this

precise issue is the Fifth District Court of Appeals, which simply stated that: “the

appellant [therein] could not recover both punitive damages and statutory treble
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                17

damages (under R.C. 901.51), i.e., a double recovery which this court has

proscribed in a similar situation.” (Emphasis added.) Nelson v. Frontier Power

Co., 5th Dist. Coshocton No. 89-CA-17, 1990 WL 70091, *2 (May 21, 1990),

citing Kilgore v. Schindler, 5th Dist. Richland No. CA-2665, 1989 WL 87039 (July

24, 1989).

       {¶41} However, the Supreme Court has held that “[a] statute which

imposes treble damages as a penalty for misconduct is obviously intended to

prevent or discourage such activity, or, in other words, to conform the public's

conduct.” (Emphasis added.) French v. Dwiggins, 9 Ohio St. 3d 32, 36, 458

N.E.2d 827 (1984). And, the Twelfth District Court of Appeals has recognized

that the purpose of R.C. 901.51, which permits treble damages in a timber theft

case, is “to deter individuals from trespassing on another's property and

destroying the vegetation existing on the property.” (Emphasis added.) Miller v.

Jordan, 87 Ohio App. 3d 819, 825, 623 N.E.2d 219 (12th Dist.1993). Thus, the

purpose of R.C. 901.51 is the same as the purpose of punitive damages, which

“is not to compensate a plaintiff, but to punish and deter certain conduct.”

(Emphasis added.) Moskovitz v. Mt. Sinai Med. Ctr., 69 Ohio St.3d 638, 651,

635 N.E.2d 331 (1994). From this case law, it is very reasonable to conclude

that because R.C. 901.51 and punitive damages are both intended to deter

conduct, recovery of both would result in an impermissible double recovery for a

plaintiff in a timber theft case.

                               b. Foreign Jurisdictions
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                           18

         {¶42} A clear majority of state supreme courts have held that in timber

theft cases recovery of both statutory treble damages and punitive damages are

not permitted because doing so allows double recovery of damages by the

plaintiff. For example, the Vermont Supreme Court has held that

                [t]he State cannot * * * recover both multiple damages
         under § 3606 and punitive damages for the destruction of the
         trees. As explained above, § 3606's treble-damages provision
         serves, in part, to deter tree piracy by punishing one who
         unlawfully cut another's trees. Given this punitive component of §
         3606, awarding the State both treble damages and punitive
         damages here would amount to an improper double recovery,
         because the State would then recover twice for the same injury—
         the wrongful cutting of its trees. (Footnote omitted and Emphasis
         added.).

State v. Singer, 180 Vt. 104, 111–12, 904 A.2d 1184, 1190-1191 (2006), ¶ 15.

Similar to Vermont, all but one of the State Supreme Courts that have addressed

this issue, which includes Arkansas, Iowa, and Minnesota, have held that

permitting a plaintiff in a timber theft/damage case to recover treble statutory

damages for timber and punitive damages is impermissible because it allows

double recovery. See Stoner v. Houston, 265 Ark. 928, 582 S.W.2d 28, 30–31

(Arkansas 1979); Johnson v. Tyler, 277 N.W.2d 617, 618-19 (Iowa 1979);

Johnson v. Jensen, 446 N.W.2d 664, 666 (Minn.1989).3 Furthermore, appellate

         3
           Similar to the timber theft/damage cases, in cases involving possible recovery of both
statutory treble and punitive not involving timber theft, many of the same state supreme courts
and other courts have recognized that “[w]hen a plaintiff is entitled to both punitive damages in
conjunction with a common law claim for relief and to treble damages under a statutory scheme,
the majority of jurisdictions employ a version of the election of remedies doctrine to prevent
double recovery of enhanced damages.” Concrete Spaces, Inc. v. Sender, 2 S.W.3d 901, 908
(Tenn. 1999). See also Harris v. Manor Healthcare Corp., 111 Ill. 2d 350, 361, 489 N.E.2d 1374,
1379 (Ill. 1986); Lexton-Ancira Real Est. Fund, 1972 v. Heller, 826 P.2d 819, 822 (Colo. 1992);
Bjorgen v. Kinsey, 466 N.W.2d 553, 561–62 (N.D. 1991); Johnson v. Tyler, 277 N.W.2d 617, 618
(Iowa 1979); Wagoner v. Bennett, 1991 OK 70, ¶ 12, 814 P.2d 476, 479; Birchfield v. Texarkana
Mem'l Hosp., 747 S.W.2d 361, 367 (Tex. 1987).
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                   19

courts in California and Illinois have also held that in a timber theft case recovery

of treble and punitive damages are not allowed because it is double recovery.

See Baker v. Ramirez, 190 Cal.App.3d 1123; 235 Cal.Rptr. 857, 866 (1987);

Marsella v. Shaffer, 320 Ill.App.3d 134, 257 Ill.Dec. 753, 754 N.E.2d 411 (2001).

       {¶43} Only the West Virginia Supreme Court held that recovery of both

treble and punitive damages is permissible. Bullman v. D & R Lumber Co., 195

W. Va. 129, 135, 464 S.E.2d 771, 777 (1995).

       {¶44} Based on case law in Ohio and numerous decisions from other state

courts, including several supreme court opinions, we find that because the treble

damages aspect of R.C. 901.51 and common law punitive damages both serve

to deter the destruction of trees, recovery of both in the same timber theft case is

an impermissible double recovery by Scioto. Therefore, we sustain Knauff’s third

assignment of error.

       {¶45} Scioto sued and recovered compensatory damages that were

trebled under R.C. 901.51 and punitive damages, which is an impermissible

double recovery of damages for the same injury. Accordingly, this matter will be

remanded to the trial court for Scioto to elect whether it will treble its

compensatory damages under R.C. 901.50, or recover punitive damages.

                             ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR IV

       {¶46} In his fourth assignment of error, Knauff asserts that the trial court

erred when it struck his expert witness’s valuation of the timber in this case.

Knauff maintains that his expert witness, George Comstock, testified without

objection, that the value of Scioto’s timber was $4,798.45. He claims that a later
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                     20

objection by Scioto was insufficient to cure its earlier waiver in failing to object,

citing Vicari v. Spiegel, 989 A.2d 1277 (Pa. 2010).

       {¶47} Knauff also argues that he should have been able to recall

Comstock to qualify him as an expert having inadvertently forgotten to do so

during his testimony. Knauff maintains that Comstock had just left the court

when his counsel requested to recall Comstock, and there was no showing that

permitting Comstock to be recalled would result in prejudice. Therefore, the

court should have allowed Comstock to be recalled.

       {¶48} Finally, Knauff maintains that Comstock’s failure “to state ‘to a

reasonable degree of certainty’ the amount of damages did not warrant the court

striking his entire testimony.” Knauff claims that the trial court admitted

Comstock’s “basis” for the damages. Therefore, the court can use that “basis” to

calculate the value of Scioto’s trees.

       {¶49} In response, Scioto claims that the trial court did not err when it

struck Mr. Comstock’s valuation. Scioto asserts that Comstock was not properly

certified as an expert witness during his testimony. Scioto also maintains that

immediately after Comstock’s testimony, its counsel objected to Comstock’s

testimony for his failure to express his opinions to a reasonable degree of

certainty, so there was no waiver.

                                         A. Law

                              1. Standard of Review

       {¶50} “All rulings concerning the admission of expert testimony are within

the sound discretion of the trial court. Howard v. Wills, 77 Ohio App. 3d 133,
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                21

141, 601 N.E.2d 515 (4th Dist.1991), citing Frank v. Vulcan Materials Co., 55

Ohio App.3d 153, 155, 563 N.E.2d 339 (1988); Fulton v. Aszman, 4 Ohio App.3d

64, 66, 446 N.E.2d 803 (12th Dist.1982). A trial court’s decision to permit a

witness to be recalled is also within the trial court’s discretion. See State v.

Jackson, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 14CA010555, 2015-Ohio-2473, ¶ 59, citing State v.

Anderson, 191 Ohio App.3d 110, 2010-Ohio-6234, ¶ 9 (9th Dist.).

       {¶51} Reviewing a trial court’s decision for an abuse of discretion is a

“highly deferential standard” that “is limited to determining whether the trial court

acted unreasonably, arbitrarily, or unconscionably[.]” Lankford v. Weller, 4th

Dist. Pickaway No. 21CA19, 2023-Ohio-430, ¶ 29, citing Eitel's Towing Serv.,

Inc. v. D H Trucking, Inc., 4th Dist. Ross No. 21CA3753, 2022-Ohio-1639, ¶ 8,

citing Dunford v. Dunford, 4th Dist. Gallia No. 13CA7, 13CA7, 2014-Ohio-617, ¶

3. A trial court's decision is unreasonable if there is no sound reasoning process

that would support it. AAAA Ent., Inc. v. River Place Community Urban

Redevelopment Corp., 50 Ohio St.3d 157, 161, 553 N.E.2d 597 (1990).

                              2. Expert Witnesses

       {¶52} “Experts are not required to give precise opinions, but an expert's

opinion is normally offered to a reasonable degree of certainty within the expert's

field.” Shelly Materials, Inc. v. City of Streetsboro Plan. & Zoning Comm'n, 158

Ohio St. 3d 476, 2019-Ohio-4499, 145 N.E.3d 246, ¶ 19, citing State v. Beasley,

153 Ohio St.3d 497, 2018-Ohio-493, 108 N.E.3d 1028, ¶ 162. “The expert

witness must express his or her opinion in terms of probability; otherwise the

testimony will be excluded as speculative.” Nichols v. Hanzel, 110 Ohio App. 3d
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                22

591, 600, 674 N.E.2d 1237, 1242 (4th Dist.1996), citing Shumaker v. Oliver B.

Cannon & Sons, Inc., 28 Ohio St.3d 367, 369, 504 N.E.2d 44 (1986).

                                    B. Analysis

       {¶53} At the conclusion of Comstock’s testimony, Scioto’s counsel

objected stating that

               the legal standard in the state of Ohio with regard to an
        expert is he has to testify to a reasonable degree of certainty within
        some industry that the opinions that he is offering is based upon
        that. At no point in Mr. Comstock’s testimony did he ever offer an
        opinion to a reasonable degree of certainty within an industry and
        therefore his opinion should be stricken.

       {¶54} Knauff’s counsel then requested the court to allow Comstock to be

recalled, which the court denied. The court then sustained Scioto’s objection

striking Comstock’s testimony. The court also stated: “Secondarily, I would note

that even had this testimony been admissible, he testified to the wrong standard

as to valuation. The standard for damages in a case like this is the market value

at the time of the trespass or the conversion. It is not the value of standing

timber that somebody would bid on the property.” The court struck Comstock’s

testimony for both reasons.

       {¶55} Knauff, who was the last witness, then testified. After Knauff was

excused, both attorneys and the court started discussing the introduction of the

evidence, when the court interjected:

              Well, hang on. Let’s talk about that and I want to clarify my
       ruling as to the striking of the expert testimony. As I have sat here
       and - - wanting to clarify. The testimony isn’t stricken insofar as Mr.
       Comstock’s testified about his opinion as to methodology for
       measuring trees, however, his ultimate opinion as to the value of the
       timber allegedly taken off this property is stricken, so that is out. Now
       are you offering his expert report?
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                      23

       After arguments by both counsel, the court admitted the report, but not the

“$5,078.45 total valuation given by Mr. Comstock because that was not properly

testified to and not properly supported as an expert opinion.”

       {¶56} The trial court rejected Comstock testimony for two reasons. First

Comstock did not testify that his opinion was within a reasonable degree of

certainty. Second, Comstock used an incorrect method to value the timber.

Specifically, he used the bid price paid only to cut standing timber.

       {¶57} Recalling Comstock to the witness stand could have permitted

counsel to ask the proper questions to qualify him as an expert witness.

However, it would not have changed Comstock’s valuation of the timber, which

the trial court concluded was not a proper method of valuation. A conclusion that

we affirmed in Knauff’s first assignment of error. Therefore, even if we

determined that the trial court’s decision declining Knauff’s request to recall

Comstock was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable, it was ultimately

harmless because Comstock’s method valuation was incorrect. See Civ.R. 61

(“[N]o error * * * in any ruling * * * is grounds for * * * a disturbing a judgment or

order, unless refusal to take such action appears to the court inconsistent with

substantial justice.”)

       {¶58} Therefore, we overrule Knauff’s fourth assignment of error.

                             III.    CONCLUSION

       {¶59} Accordingly, we overrule Knauff’s first, second, and fourth

assignments of error. However, we sustain Knauff’s third assignment of error

and remand the matter to the trial court for Scioto to elect whether it wants to
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                               24

recover treble damages under R.C. 901.50, or punitive damages. Therefore, we

affirm in part and reverse in part the trial court’s judgment, and remand the

matter to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with our decision.

JUDGMENT AFFIRMED IN PART AND REVERSED IN PART AND CAUSE

REMANDED.
Ross App. No. 22CA8                                                                25

                               JUDGMENT ENTRY

      It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED IN PART AND
REVERSED IN PART AND THE CAUSE IS REMANDED and the appellant shall
pay the costs.

       The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

      It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the
Ross County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.

       Any stay previously granted by this Court is hereby terminated as of the
date of this entry.

       A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule
27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Abele, J. and Hess, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.

                                      For the Court,

                                   BY: ____________________________
                                      Kristy S. Wilkin, Judge

                             NOTICE TO COUNSEL
      Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final
judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the
date of filing with the clerk.