A businessman who illegally felled six century-old oak trees worth £250,000 has been fined just £1,600.
Khalil Hussain, 67, violated tree preservation orders when he had the healthy oaks cut down in the garden of his £770,000 home in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
He was fined £1,666 by Bradford Magistrates’ Court on Friday, which is equivalent to £277.66 per tree.
Prof Peter Vowden, Mr Hussain’s former next-door neighbour, said the size of the fine “sends the message out that we can all chop all the trees down and there won’t be any trouble”.
He added: “I think I speak on behalf of all of the neighbours when I say we are all upset and distressed by the felling of the trees.
“It has changed the character of this part of the neighbourhood. I am glad he has been found guilty but I am disappointed with the fine.”