A WOMAN'S attempts to prune back a neighbour's trees proved costly, after she was fined £1,500 for causing them permanent damage.

Julie Walsh found herself before Teesside Magistrates' Court yesterday, facing six charges of contravening tree preservation orders.

Stockton Borough Council took the action after giving Mrs Walsh consent for three of the trees to be pruned, by no more than three metres.

Walsh employed tree surgeon Peter Scott, who traded as Arbo Tree Surgeon, to carry out the trimming work on six trees, including one willow, one ash, one beech and three chestnut trees, in September last year.

The court heard that the work on all six trees exceeded the three-metre permission to such an extent that they all suffered permanent damage.

The tree surgeon took seven or eight metres off the trees.

On some, long stubs were left, while other trees had been left with greatly altered form and looked much less attractive.

The tree surgeon, of Hunwick Walk, Stockton, appeared in court last week where he pleaded guilty to six charges and was fined £6,000, plus £550 costs.

Yesterday, Walsh, of Thornaby Road, Thornaby, was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £500 costs.

Jamie McCann, head of the council's direct services, said: "Preservation orders exist to make sure our trees are not damaged or cut down unnecessarily.

"The importance of trees can't be overstated. They have a huge positive impact on the environment, and make our local area look much better.

"Even trees on privately owned land need to be protected, and tree preservation orders make sure they are respected.

"The council's arboricultural service will be pleased to help with advice about preservation orders.

"But people need to understand that we will not hesitate to take legal action if we feel the orders have been breached."

Walsh was not available at home for comment yesterday.

"Trees must be, and will be, protected."

Walsh was not available at home for comment yesterday.