UpdatedTracy NealOpen Justice multimedia journalist, Nelson-Marlborough·NZ Herald·4 Jun, 2026 07:34 AM4 mins to read‌A man appeared in the Nelson District Court for sentencing after earlier admitting cutting down beech trees on Department of Conservation land beside his luxury property in Tasman. Photo/ NZME compositeA businessman who claimed to be a guardian of native flora and who supported principles of conservation has been penalised for cutting down native trees on public land bordering his luxury property.

The 62-year-old admitted Department of Conservation (DoC) charges last year for felling five native black beech trees and