Illegal tree removal sparks outrage – and big fines

A viral social post detailing a neighbourly feud over the alleged destruction of mature trees has ignited a wider conversation about the value of urban canopies and the consequences of illegal tree removal.

The post, shared on Reddit, depicted the aftermath of what the original poster claimed was the deliberate destruction of two 50-year-old trees by a neighbour, sparking outrage and calls for legal action.

“I’m livid and scared,” the post’s author exclaimed.

“Neighbour lady who owns the two houses touching my property tore down one of the houses as well as destroyed at least two 50-year-old trees that were seemingly on my property.

“She’s the appraiser of my home and a prominent rental manager in the area.

“All that (is to say) she’s got money to fight this. What do I do?”

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A Redditor has received an outpouring of support and advice after posting images of the damage their neighbour caused to a pair of 50-year-old trees on their property.

The aftermath after one of the trees was removed. Photo Credit: Reddit

This online post, which amassed over 1600 views in just one day, highlights a very real and increasingly common problem: the unauthorised removal of protected trees, often with significant environmental and financial implications.

Just as the Reddit community rallied behind the aggrieved property owner, authorities in South Australia are cracking down on those who flout tree protection laws.

In a stark example of these real-world repercussions, Adelaide man Levi Timothy Daniel Kinsman was fined $10,000 in the Environment, Resources and Development Court last week for felling a large river red gum at a property in Salisbury Downs without the required planning consent.

This marks the third time Kinsman has been fined this year for similar offences, raising concerns about the ongoing loss of mature trees in residential areas.

According to court documents, Kinsman, who previously operated under the name Great Fellers Tree Services, removed the 6.8-metre circumference tree in November 2024.

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Levi Kinsman has been sentenced after illegally cutting down trees. Picture: Courts SA

He was also fined an additional $2,000 for failing to co-operate with Salisbury Council officers during the investigation.

Senior Judge Michael Durrant noted Kinsman’s repeated offences, having previously found him guilty of illegally lopping trees in separate judgments delivered in February and June. Despite this, Kinsman was sentenced as a first-time offender in this instance because the offence occurred before the other convictions.

Salisbury Council’s request for the property owners to plant two replacement trees was rejected by Judge Durrant, who cited the court’s lack of jurisdiction over parties not directly involved in the criminal prosecution. Kinsman was also ordered to repay $1,800 to the council for legal costs.

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