Personally, I'd have advised them that you weren't responsible for the tree--maybe they (the HOA busybodies) might actually be liable for the damage caused by it?My HOA has a litany of rules and regulations that no member has bothered to read or follow. Inversely, my old HOA in the DC area cited me for a tree in the HOA common area falling onto my fence and causing "non-uniformity to architectural rules"
generally, unless you notify the tree owner in writing that there were issues with the tree, the damage is on you.Personally, I'd have advised them that you weren't responsible for the tree--maybe they (the HOA busybodies) might actually be liable for the damage caused by it?
And of course after they denied any liability and insisted on the citation... Told 'em they were all ballot boxes, and to get stuffed.