Hefty fines for those illegally killing trees Poisoned trees in Lorne, Victoria. TREES are being poisoned along Victoria's coastline by residents who want to improve their ocean view. In coastal towns, trees are being drilled into and poisoned with herbicide and ringbarking has also been reported. Councils are cracking down on tree vandals with hefty fines, rewarding dobbers and erecting signage and surveillance systems in a bid to stop the vandals. Four pine trees, estimated to be over 50 years old, have been drilled into and poisoned in Lorne on Victoria's Great Ocean Road. The health of the trees was assessed by an arborist last week, who said two of them needed to be removed. The Bass Coast Shire Council is also investigating a series of tree poisonings at Pensioner Point, east of Inverloch, after they were poisoned with herbicide. Last year, Frankston City Council fined a tree vandal $14,044 and gave $10,000 reward to the resident who assisted police in nabbing the vandal. Surf Coast Shire's Sunil Bhalla said successfully identifying and prosecuting perpetrators who poisoned trees was "challenging." "If those responsible can be accurately identified, they can be fined and ordered to undertake remediation work," Mr Bhalla said. Great Ocean Road Coast Committee chief executive Richard Davies said destruction of vegetation was an ongoing problem in coastal towns. "This is the second time vandalism of this type has occurred over the past year," Mr Davies said. These individuals may be attempting to clear the way for a better view. Trees have also been cut down and poisoned near Aireys Inlet recently, he said.