CALGARY — If a tree falls in Britannia, and no one is around to hear it — you could still wind up paying fines of up to $10,000 per stump.

At least that’s the charge that city bylaw officials are threatening to levy against the person or people found responsible for taking a chainsaw to dozens of trees and shrubs on public land in a southwest neighbourhood.

City officials say they will seek the maximum penalty and a mandatory court appearance associated with the illegal felling of a grove of aspen and mountain ash trees behind homes in the 4200 block of Britannia Drive.

A roughly hacked pile of trunks and brush were left for city crews to clean up after someone mowed down the vegetation under the cover of darkness last month.

Angry residents say the destruction appears to be an attempt to improve the sightlines of downtown-facing homes atop an escarpment overlooking Riverdale Park.

Now, city officials say they are closing in on the likely culprits.

“We definitely have some people of interest,” said bylaw boss Bill Bruce.

“The cuts seem to enhance the view of the downtown for a couple of properties,” he said. “When you see a tree cut down, and nothing is taken, you can rule out firewood as a motive.

“The contractor who did the work should be very worried. Our intention is to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. The damage done here is actually horrendous.” Bruce said.

The properties along Britannia Drive where the trees were cleared have both been recently sold. One was listed at over $2 million.

Reached on the phone from Kelowna, B.C., on Tuesday, one homeowner, who took possession of the property late last month, said he had nothing to do with the trees being cut.

“I just heard about the (cutting) today. I was totally shocked. I have no idea what is going on and I haven’t seen it,” he said.

According to neighbours, the second property was sold five months ago for more than $5 million. The current homeowner could not be reached for comment by press time.

The city spent two years creating a management plan for River Park, Sandy Beach and the Britannia Slopes.

It is a popular park and recreation area, located north of the Glenmore Dam and along the Elbow River.

Encroachment issues are at the forefront, said Kyle Ripley, the city’s manager of parks, planning and development services.

“We’re trying to grow the urban forest, not remove it, especially in the inner city where these little ribbons of natural areas are so precious,” Ripley said.

He said the actions of clearing trees, mowing tall grass, dumping waste, building fire pits, all have a detrimental affect on the natural areas.

“By cutting down the trees, you’re removing the natural retaining wall that’s supporting your backyard,” Ripley said. “It could be permanent if the slopes starts to fall, it could damage the whole area.”

The incident prompted a condemnation from Mayor Naheed Nenshi on Tuesday who wryly offered a possible stop-gap measure until the trees have grown back.

“It’s a pretty shocking thing, as far as I’m concerned,” Nenshi said. “And if we’re able to find whomever is responsible, we’re going to take as strong an enforcement actions as we possibly can. You can’t go about doing that. I’ve got to tell you: I am tempted to just erect a fence there that is exactly the height of those trees, until the trees grow back to that height.”

With files from Sherri Zickefoose and Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald

mpotkins@calgaryherald.com