Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1853: Trees cut or injured

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law prohibits unlawfully cutting or intentionally injuring trees on U.S. public lands, Indian reservations, or trust allotments. Violation is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment up to one year.

Read the full statutory text

Whoever unlawfully cuts, or wantonly injures or destroys any tree growing, standing, or being upon any land of the United States which, in pursuance of law, has been reserved or purchased by the United States for any public use, or upon any Indian reservation, or lands belonging to or occupied by any tribe of Indians under the authority of the United States, or any Indian allotment while the title to the same shall be held in trust by the Government, or while the same shall remain inalienable by the allottee without the consent of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.