Man loses case after chopping down tree

Ralph Ansley was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay 200 costs at Chichester Magistrates Court.

He had pleaded guilty to ordering the topping and lopping of a beech tree in the garden of his home in The Hopgarten.

The tree is covered by the Aldwick area tree preservation order. Mr Ansley pleaded ignorance about the existence of the order but was still prosecuted for his actions.

It is a criminal offence to do works to trees subject to a TPO. The offence carries a fine of up to 20,000. Both the person who approves the work and the person who performs it are liable.

Cllr Ricky Bower, Arun's cabinet member for planning, said: "Ignorance is no defence. We have lost a great beech tree that had absolutely nothing wrong with it because of these people. Hopefully, others will learn from this case and follow the proper procedures in future.

"Preservation orders are placed on trees for very good reasons.

"It is the responsibility of any person who wishes to carry out tree work to check with the local authority first."

Ian Brewster, an Arun arboricultural officer, said only qualified tree surgeons with the proper expertise, insurance cover and equipment should be hired.

The incident which led to the court case was discovered on August 31 last year when a member of Arun District Council's tree staff spotted a man on a ladder propped against the tree in a dangerous position.

The council discovered that a man, cold calling as 'Manor House Tree Care of Reading', had been employed to cut down a large part of a protected tree.

He lacked a safety harness, protective clothing or helmet and used a washing line to pull down branches. He could not be traced and so avoided being prosecuted.