An ‘arrogant’ homeowner who killed a protected tree that stood in the way of a lucrative property deal has been ordered to pay £80,000 in fines and costs.
Robert Page (71) developed an ‘irrational hatred’ for the 65ft Monterey tree after it prevented him from selling his property near Poole Harbour.
The retired chartered accountant stood to make £100,000 from the deal but planning permission was repeatedly refused, with the public amenity value of the evergreen cited as a reason.
The 65-year-old specimen, that was made subject to a Tree Preservation Order in 1989, also cast a large shadow over Page’s £900,000 home in Dorset.
After drilling holes in the tree’s trunk, he ordered that the herbicide be poured into the hole. He then claimed that the vigilante had invaded his property and attacked it. It was also covered with concrete to stop the oxygen from getting into its roots.
Two years later, local tree officers discovered that the pine was sabotaged. It had withered and died.
Page, after he spotted the officials at his home in Lilliput’s upmarket area, Poole, was heard saying to his wife, ‘Don’t tell them anything.
After a trial lasting four days, he was found guilty of violating the TPO Order with intent to desecrate the tree.
Page was sentenced by Judge Robert Pawson at Salisbury Crown Court in Wiltshire. He stated that the “metaphorical shadow” of the tree would still hang over Page and his family.

Robert Page, 71 (photo taken at Court), formed an “irrational dislike” of the 65ft Monterey Pine after it stopped him from selling his house near Poole Harbour.

Workers remove the tree after it fell onto a block. This left its owners with an invoice of thousands.

The 65-year-old specimen (circled), that was made subject to a Tree Preservation Order in 1989, also cast a large shadow over Page’s £900,000 home in Dorset
Court heard from the father of two that his selfish acts had put the property of another neighbor at risk. The large tree finally fell onto the garage block’s roof last month during Storm Arwen.
Mark Ruffell, his mitigating attorney, stated that the client received hate mail because of the damage he caused to the tree.
Page was fined £55,000 to £50,000 for the amount his property has risen in value by the loss of the tree and £5,000 to cover the loss to the public.
He was also ordered to pay £25,000 in court costs.
Judge Pawson stated that the history of this matter will reveal your strategy. The application was made to demolish the house. It was rejected because of Monterey Pine.
A second application was submitted to build two apartments in a block.
“Another application was denied – your appeal was also rejected. Your fateful fifth application was made to cut the tree.
“Either you feel an unjustified dislike for the tree, or you wish to rid it of financial considerations in the near future.

Page poisoned the tree and it fell on Page’s garage roof during Storm Arwen.

The stump in Avalon, Poole. The once beautiful pine was sabotaged by tree officers of the local council upon inspection.

The retired chartered accountant (seen leaving Salisbury Law Courts yesterday) stood to make £100,000 from the deal but planning permission was repeatedly refused, with the public amenity value of the evergreen cited as a reason
The evidence indicated that the effort was made to remove the tree. It was a deliberate effort that succeeded.
“That tree casts a shadow over your garden and house. That tree has cast a shadow over your home and family, including your husband and son. Their suffering is unjustifiable.
You lied all through the trial.
You were also arrogant, and your neighbor’s safety was at risk. [by killing the tree].’

Page was fined £55,000 to £50,000 for the amount his property has risen in value by the loss of the tree and £5,000 to cover the loss to the public (file photo of Salisbury Law Courts)
Ruffell explained that the defendants have been receiving hate mail as a result. The defendant is now under severe pressure because of this. He was abused to the extent that he threatened to sell his house.
He was an individual of good character. He is aware of how heavy the conviction weighs on him and others who look at his face.
Ruffell stated that Page planted a substitute tree since then.
Judge Pawson stated, “The penalty should reflect your success in your offence.” The Crown have assessed the increase to the value to your home which is agreed to be in the order of £50,000.
“As an educated man, I don’t believe you hadn’t considered the possibility that you might be caught. You took a calculated risk.
Page didn’t comment when he left court.