The felling of a historic giant bur oak tree in Rolfe, Iowa, has landed a 41-year-old a huge fine that could yet grow.
As Iowa Capital Dispatch reported, Jason Levant Ferguson cut down the six-foot-wide, 175-year-old, 93-foot-tall oak, among dozens of other stolen trees, with the intention of using the timber to build a new house.
However, the trees were located on state land, and Ferguson was found guilty of felony theft and 50 timber violations by the district court. While he avoided jail time, receiving a five-year suspended sentence, Ferguson was issued a $24,725 fine that might increase if he needs to pay restitution.
A forest consultant has estimated the damage and the cost of restoration to be in the region of $38,000, but the destruction has far more implications than simply financial ones.
The largest tree cut down, the giant bur oak, was deemed to be in a healthy condition and showed few signs of rot, meaning it could have continued to thrive for many years. Kevin Oetken of Woodland Forestry of Monmouth told the Dispatch that it "cannot be replaced and has historical significance."
The bur oak, as well as the other trees that were cut down, would have been hugely important in absorbing harmful airborne toxins, including planet-warming carbon dioxide. They would have also provided habitat for various creatures, making them vital to the local ecosystem.
But aside from the environmental destruction, the bur oak was a notable local landmark that would likely have been growing in place before the town of Rolfe was established in 1863.
Seeking permission from relevant parties before conducting tree cutting or trimming is important to avoid huge fines and to ensure the health of the natural world. While cutting down dying trees is understandable, destroying trees in their prime not only demonstrates disrespect for the environment but could also impact the local area, as trees provide a habitat for many species and aid in improving air quality.
Unfortunately, this is far from the only example of felling trees on protected land for selfish reasons. In Australia, a man cleared 19,000 square meters (about 204,500 square feet) of protected forest land in Bowling Green National Park in Queensland in order to create a driveway for his property. Elsewhere, a Florida resort owner and a tenant could face a six-figure fine for destroying mangroves in Port St. Lucie.
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