Virginia Tree Care Technician Fined, Given Probation For Operating And Advertising As A Tree Expert Prior To Being Licensed

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SILVER SPRING — Brian S. Cooper of Treescape Services, Rapidan, VA, pleaded guilty to operating a tree expert business without a license and false advertising or soliciting as an unlicensed tree expert business in Montgomery County District Court this morning. Cooper was subsequently sentenced to Probation Before Judgment and $650 in fines.

The charges were filed by the Maryland Natural Resources Police in December of 2006 related to a complaint received by the Maryland Forest Service, a division of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in February of 2006. The complaint came from a local government official who encountered Cooper performing tree care for hire in Montgomery County. A check of Treescape Services’ website revealed advertising for tree care services, however departmental records showed that Cooper was not a Licensed Tree Expert and had no Licensed Tree Experts on staff. Cooper had previously pleaded guilty to operating a tree expert business without a license in Montgomery County District Court in January 2002.

In January of 2007, Cooper obtained his Maryland Tree Expert license.

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January 25, 2007

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov