Man faces penalty for cutting back protected trees

Reporter: Ask Bury
Date online: 01 September 2006

A Bury resident pleaded guilty by post for damaging trees which were in a conservation area. The case was heard at Bury Magistrates Court on Wednesday August 30.

Mr John Eady from 1 Ainsworth Hall Road, Bury was given an absolute discharge and ordered to pay costs of £150 following the severe pruning he gave a number of mature trees within the Ainsworth conservation area which adjoins his garden. The court heard how this unauthorised pruning resulted in the trees not only appearing unsightly but had left them potentially dangerous by unbalancing their canopies and exposing them to risk of disease entering wounds left on the remains of badly cut limbs .

The trees will now require extensive works by professional tree surgeons if the damage is to be put right and the future health of the trees secured.

In his defence Mr Eady claimed that he had cut the trees back for safety reasons following branches which had fallen off and broken his fence and that had become entwined with his telephone wire. He stated that he had tried to find out whose land it was and that he was unaware of the legislation. He also said that one high branch had been hitting high vehicles and fallen onto his car, and that other locals had thanked him. Mr Eady cooperated fully with the investigation and was "disappointed’ at the prosecution.