Yep, take pictures, and mail it to the hoa. That's why you pay the monthly dues.

The city tree also can't be removed. It's called a "tree lined street", and the developer had to use an exact tree for that front tree. All landscaping changes have to go through the hoa. He didn't because the hoa would have told him about the tree lined street provision by the city.

Yup, he took out a city tree. I know that. And I know he didn't go through HOA. But, seems like they are willing to compromise, so unless he does something ridiculous, I'll file the extra pictures in my circular files in case I need it for the future.