Warning as native trees illegally felled
Native broadleaved trees have been illegally felled on Stirling development sites in the east Loch Lomond area.
Scottish Forestry this week warned developers across the country to get in touch before cutting down trees or risk hefty fines of up to £5000 per tree felled.
If they do not have the right permissions in place developers can also receive a criminal record.
Scottish Forestry this week pointed out there had been “two significant breaches”in Stirling district around Loch Lomond where native broadleaves had been felled.
A spokesperson added: “Restock directions were issued for both sites with full restocking of the areas with native broadleaves.”
In the central belt of
April this year and have issued five restocking directions since new penalties came into force.
Scottish Forestry’s head of operational delivery, Brendan Callaghan, said:“the majority of our most serious cases are by small-scale developers who are felling trees to make way for new building.
“Some do not realise that the fines involved can be significant and this can be a shock to them.
“Added to this, if we demand that the trees are restocked it will often prevent them from using the site for many years.”
Every report that Scottish Forestry receives on an alleged illegal felling is fully investigated by woodland officers.
Mr Callaghan added:“it can be a time consuming job, but it is necessary and we value the public being our eyes and ears on the ground.
“We have a very simple and clear guide to the new felling permissions system and we would recommend that developers take time to read it.
“We would much prefer to offer advice to anyone in advance of tree felling, rather than have to take punitive action after it has happened.”
For information on tree felling go to: https://forestry. gov.scot/support-regulations/