Earnest
Oh ok then...no probs

so the tree was covering a wtiting on the side of the street...so like a street sign?
Yes. Did it cover a mirror? Something regarding the street rules? Some billboard? Advertisement? An adress? A sign referred to Floyd's private property? To parking?
No to all.Did it cover the writing partially? Completely?
This. A relevant part of it? Was it visible/understandable from the street?
No. To drivers?
No. If not, did it cause the embarrassment of Floyd?
The fact that it was not visible caused the embarrassment, yes. If so, same question.
Did Floyd live near a relevant place?
No.invisiblemimsy
Dead body?
None in this puzzle. 
biograd
Was the writing graffiti?
No.Did Floyd put the writing there?
No. or did someone else put it there, but the fact that someone might think he wrote it reflected badly on him?
No. Would he have erased/painted over the writing if he knew it was there, but the plant blocked his view of it so he was unaware?
No, but good thought.