What constitutes injury to real property?

Injury to real property involves actions that damage or interfere with the rightful use of someone else's land or improvements on it. The situation described as willfully and wantonly damaging the property of another clearly meets this definition. It indicates intentional harm that goes beyond mere negligence, suggesting that the individual acted with disregard for the rights and safety of others, which is critical in legal contexts regarding property crimes. Such behavior likely results in tangible harm to the property in question and reflects malice or a knowing disregard for the consequences of one's actions.

The other scenarios listed do not equate to injury to real property in the same way. Accidentally damaging a neighbor's mailbox, for example, might imply a lack of intent to cause harm, suggesting a more innocent interaction that may not fall under criminal property damage. Neglecting to repair one’s own fence represents a failure of maintenance rather than an injury to someone else's property. Planting trees close to the property line can also be a normal activity associated with land use rights, and would not necessarily be considered damage unless it directly impacts the neighbor’s property adversely.