(a) The owner of any valuable pear trees, cedar trees, or other growing trees of real value which have been or may hereafter be cut down and destroyed without his or her consent by the order and direction of the State Plant Board, or by its officers, employees, agents, or inspectors, shall be entitled to compensation for the actual value of the trees cut down or destroyed, to be paid by the county in which the trees were growing.
(b)
(1) The owner of the trees shall present to the county court his or her claim in writing, verified by his or her affidavit, stating the kind, number, and value of the trees and when and by what authority the trees were destroyed.
(2) The court shall allow from the county general fund such sum as the evidence shows the claimant is entitled to receive.