The Queenstown Lakes District Council is warning residents unauthorised felling of trees on public land could lead to prosecution and fines.
The warning comes after a couple of recent cases of illegal tree removals, where a tree at Arrowtown and a tree at Kelvin Heights had been felled.
The council has settled for costs over the case at Kelvin Heights, but is pursuing further formal action in the Arrowtown case.
District council parks manager Gordon Bailey said ignorance was not a defence.
"We hold the very firm view that there is no excuse for cutting down trees without council's sign-off," he said.
He said every unauthorised felling of trees on public roads or reserves would be investigated.
"There is a cost to that and it is always our goal that any cost associated with an unauthorised felling is not borne by the ratepayer but the person responsible, he said.
If a prosecution was successful, the result could be both a fine and further costs sought by the council.
"If you want a tree removed, then call the council and we will investigate the request," Mr Bailey said.
