Floridians Sue Over Loss Of Backyard Citrus Trees

But it cuts into the profits of one of the state's preeminent industries, reducing yields.

In Brazil, where farmers have long had to deal with citrus canker, a grove could be expected to last 15 years, Meyer said. Before the bacteria became prevalent in Florida, a grove could be expected to last 20 to 40 years, he said.

"It's an insidious disease," Meyer said.

Given the threat, state officials decided in 1999 to expand the eradication program.

Rather than take down infected trees and those within 125 feet, state crews were instructed to remove any trees within 1,900 feet of an infected one.

Authorities said that 95 percent of the time, bacteria from an infected tree traveled less than 1,900 feet. Removing the infected trees and those nearby should have eradicated the disease, they reasoned.

The idea of cutting down so many trees in people's back yards, not surprisingly, infuriated some here who complained that they were losing their trees for the benefit of the powerful citrus industry.

Sterling Cowart, a Fort Lauderdale fence contractor, was arrested, pepper-sprayed and handcuffed after demanding that the crew provide a search warrant before setting foot on his property.

He spent 18 hours at the Broward County jail.

The charges were dismissed by a judge, and this summer a jury decided his rights had been violated and awarded him $25,000.

For his part, Pearce, a rumpled, genial figure in the courtroom last week, said he did not resist when the crew came -- he just took pictures.

He said he and his wife miss the orange and tangerine trees, which were fruitful enough to supply the firehouse across the street, as well as other neighbors. He said he recognized the importance of the canker effort but felt "violated" by the state's tactics.

"I felt like I was living in a foreign country," Pearce said, testifying Thursday. "It didn't seem like the American thing to do."