Leylandii Tree - Conservation Area - Didn't Know

[Lord Snooty]

I've been "caught" by the Environment Officer cutting down a largeish leylandii tree in my garden. I didn't know but I'm in a conservation area. So far all I've done is cut off the branches. Estimated height 25-30 feet. Am I going to be fined?

 

[sodthisforfun]

Maybe...
Can be quite a hefty fine too. Fingers crossed that you get away with it.

Am in a conservation area too, I put a tree in my own garden and can now get fined if I remove it as far as I know. Nuts.

 

[Lord Snooty]

If the branches regrow, have I cut it down?

 

[conny]

No, your defence is you were merely pruning it and removing dangerous branches.

 

[Notch7]

Anybody cutting down a leylandii is doing a positive thing for conservation.

 

[sodthisforfun]

If the branches regrow, have I cut it down?

Am pretty sure a leylandii it won't regrow.

No, your defence is you were merely pruning it and removing dangerous branches.

May get away with that if it's a few branches but going by the OP, sounds like he's cut the whole lot of!

Anybody cutting down a leylandii is doing a positive thing for conservation.

They may be a pain in the bum but they are fantastic for birds. And smell nice too

 

[StephenStephen]

Did they advise applying for permission at this point? There's a question as to whether they actually don't want you to cut the tree down, or whether they just want you to stay within the framework of applying for permission.
I live in a conservation area, and have repeatedly found the process of applying for permission to cut down trees to be straightforward.

 

[JP_]

That is crazy - we should be paid to remove leylandii and replace with native species.
say you are planting a nice silver birch in it's place