Homeowner given £20,000 fine for cutting back a tree in garden

Gardeners are being warned that cutting back certain trees in their garden could land them with a £20,000 fine.

The warning follows after a homeowner in Stockport made headlines after receiving a £20,000 fine for chopping down a tree in their garden, which he was unaware had been issued a Tree Preservation Order , also known as a TPO. As reported by The Mirror , the homeowner had cut back his tree as it was blocking the light into his conservatory.

TPOs protect trees, areas or woodland with environmental or historical importance, and can be issued to residential trees in gardens.