After five years of trying to get his local council to chop down the trees overshadowing his home Michael Eavers snapped and took matters into his own hands.
The teacher, from Stockburn Drive, Failsworth, has now been fined £250 after he admitted felling up to eight silver birch trees next to his home.
Mr Eavers, 68, appeared before Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for sentence.
Prosecutor Nicola Carroll told the court the amenity value of the trees was “around £57,000.”
She said Oldham Council had valued the trees at around £7,000 each.
Mr Eavers had previously admitted criminal damage when he appeared before magistrates following the incident on 2 March, 2018.
The court heard a member of the public phoned Oldham council about the felling of the trees.
An official was sent to the site and took photographs of the aftermath.
In mitigation, defence counsel Harriet Tighe said Mr Eavers was at his “wit’s end with the council” over the trees.
He had exchanged several emails over what he said were issues with light and damage to his property and vehicles.
In 2014, he or his wife told the council they were going to "take matters into their own hands," over the trees, but they were urged not to.
Mr Eavers "is of previous good character and had pleaded guilty", Ms Tighe added.
She said the actions were “entirely out of character” and the proceedings had caused “great stress” to him and his family.
As a gardener and horticulturist, he was fully aware of the value of the trees and had offered to plant an alternative species to replace them.
Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Baxter said he had been “very foolish” and it had ended up with him pleading guilty at magistrates court and then being committed for sentence.
"At a human level, I completely understand the frustration you felt,” the judge said. “You knew what the consequences were, but decided to take a course of action that landed yourself here.
“I’m very mindful that you are a thoroughly decent man whose contribution to society far outweighs this incident.”
In addition to the £250 fine, she ordered that he pay £2,500 compensation.
Outside court, Mr Eavers declined to comment.
