ESSEX County Council has warned residents not to carry out unauthorised work on trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders.
The warning comes after a developer was cautioned and fined £5,000 for felling three trees without permission.
Felling or pruning any protected tree without council approval is a criminal offence with a fine of up to £20,000.
Councillor Tracey Chapman, Essex County Council Cabinet Minister for Environment and Waste said: “Tree Preservation Orders protect trees conscidered to provide landscape value and that contribute to the character of our communities. Essex County Council has a full list of protected trees and I would strongly advise anyone planning on pruining trees to check before they chop to avoid possible fines, or potentially being charged with a criminal offence.
“Tree surgery is a specialist service that should only be carried out by qualified surgeons with the proper expertise, insurance cover and equiptment.''
For more information on the employment of private tree contractors can be found at trees.org.uk/treeservices.php
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