Government to introduce unlimited fines and even PRISON sentences for illegally cut down trees

Britain’s woodland will get greater protection as the Government introduces unlimited fines and even jail time for those who illegally cut down trees.

From January 1, the limit on fines for cutting down a tree without a licence will rise from a maximum of £2,500 per tree to no upper limit.

Trees across the country are cut down by developers ready to accept the fine as a business expense – but it is hoped tougher penalties will stop that practice.

In September, property developer James Barney, 35, was fined £53,000 for cutting down 53 oaks each around 100 years old with tree protection orders at Scoreys Copse in Horton Heath, Hampshire, in April 2021.

Britain’s woodland will get greater protection as the Government introduces unlimited fines and even jail time for those who illegally cut down trees. From January 1, the limit on fines for cutting down a tree without a licence will rise from a maximum of £2,500 per tree to no upper limit

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Barney, of nearby Bursledon, was also ordered to plant 37 mature oaks of 2.5 metres in height – estimated to cost between £25,000 and £30,000.

But critics say the risk of getting prosecuted is currently small.

A recent freedom of information request revealed that just 1 per cent of alleged illegal tree felling cases reported to the Forestry Commission have resulted in a successful prosecution over the past 10 years. 

In all, just 15 cases were prosecuted in 10 years out of 4,002 reports of illegal felling.

In further powers, land where trees have been illegally felled will be tagged with enforcement notices – so anyone buying the land will have to restock the land with trees.

And failure to comply with enforcement notice and a subsequent restocking order – meaning any trees felled must be replanted – will put offenders at risk of imprisonment.

Forestry Minister Trudy Harrison said: ‘Felling trees without a licence is illegal and can cause irreparable harm – scarring landscapes, damaging habitats for wildlife, and causing distress for local communities.

‘These robust measures, implemented as part of our world-leading Environment Act, empower the Forestry Commission to tackle the issue head-on with unlimited fines and custodial sentences for the worst offenders.

‘Today’s announcement demonstrates this Government’s commitment to protecting our precious trees, which are at the forefront of our efforts to bend the curve of biodiversity loss, tackle climate change and achieve net zero.’

Abi Bunker from the Woodland Trust said: ‘These changes should send a clear message that felling trees illegally, for example prior to submitting development proposals, will not be tolerated, and that the penalties reflect the value and many benefits trees bring to our towns and cities.’

Forestry Commission chief executive Richard Stanford added: ‘These new powers will hit people where it hurts – in their wallets.

‘By guaranteeing that illegal felling is no longer a financially viable option for offenders, these measures are a significant step forward in the fight against this offence and will help in our endeavours to fight the climate emergency and nature crisis.’