OP: if you aren't familiar this is a throwback to a long-running feud between springfield and shelbyville where they steal the lemon tree back and forth between the two of them (from episode 127).
I for one would like to see this functionality return to the game...possibly with some restrictions, like, when stolen, only the original owner can then steal it back.....or maybe have it automatically revert back to the original owner after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed (or if the person with your lemon tree unfriends you).....or maybe even introduce a mechanism to "guard" your lemon tree from your neighbors.....or something.....I think it could be a fun feature to play up the social side of the game