A CARE home has been fined more than £3,500 for chopping down trees protected by tree preservation orders. St Albans District Council took the action when they found a birch tree and two horse chestnut trees had been chopped down by Caremore LLP in London

A CARE home has been fined more than £3,500 for chopping down trees protected by tree preservation orders.

St Albans District Council took the action when they found a birch tree and two horse chestnut trees had been chopped down by Caremore LLP in London Road, St Albans.

Landowner Fraser Presence was fined £1,170 for each tree removed and St Albans Tree and Garden Services, which was hired to carry out the work, was fined £600 at Central Herts Magistrates Court after both parties pleaded guilty.

Caremore LLP and the contractors were also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £328.