large poplar (balsom) tree roots plugged my sewer line

Question

the tree that caused the problem was 60′ approximately away and is on city property I want them to pay for the repair. I need a professional person to give me an opinion about the tree’s root system that would hold up in small claims court if necessary. They say the roots are from a rhododendron in a neighbor’s yard. The roots do not look at all like a rhododendron and a botanist at a local nursery agrees. Can you help?

Answer 1

That is out of our scope but maybe this helps:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/poplar/growing-poplar-trees.htm
https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/populus-balsamifera (says root damage rated high)