BANDON - Property owners would be wise not to rev up a chainsaw too quickly when it comes to trees on public property or in city rights of way.

The Bandon City Council on Monday passed an ordinance to protect its branching assets, particularly Monterey cypress, which some say have been falling too fast in recent times. The new ordinance requires would-be tree cutters to talk first to the Parks and Recreation Commission and get a nod of approval.

And, for those who don't, the ordinance comes with a bite. For illegally chopping an average tree, an offender could be fined up to $1,500, but there's more. The city could assess a special $3,000 penalty for those who fell cypresses.

City councilors left some leeway in the ordinance for trees deemed hazardous. To remove such a tree, a person needs only get approval of a city Parks and Recreation official.