In Vietnam, man fined $1,350 for felling tree, posting video on how to kill it

The administration of the province's Xuan Huong-Da Lat Ward on Sunday said it had issued an administrative fine of VND35 million ($1,350) against H.N.M., a resident of the ward, for cutting down the pine tree without permission from authorities.

After chopping down the tree, M. publicly posted two video clips on social media describing how he had carried out the unauthorized act, local authorities said.

In the videos, M. was seen damaging the base of a pine tree and stripping bark from around its trunk.

He also gave step-by-step instructions on how to weaken the tree until it died before sawing it down and then cutting it into pieces to make tables and chairs for his friends.

The tree was located within a residential property and was neither on forest land nor classified as a forestry tree, according to the ward administration.

However, under regulations, cutting down trees in urban areas is still subject to permission from competent agencies, authorities said.

The administration also stressed that residents who want to cut down a tree, including one at risk of falling during the rainy and stormy season, must notify local authorities to follow the required procedures.

Relevant agencies will then inspect the tree's condition and assess whether it should be removed before issuing a decision on the felling at the property owner's request, according to the ward administration.