Nigerian Doctor Fined for Cutting Protected Trees in Oakland

Matthew Bernard, a Nigerian doctor, was sanctioned by the Oakland City Council for unlawfully cutting down a dozen protected trees around his property on Claremont Avenue. City records indicate that officials visited the property multiple times between February 2021 and May 2022 following complaints about the illegal tree removals.

The case garnered significant attention, with 20 residents attending a public hearing to urge strict enforcement of Oakland's tree protection laws, emphasizing the area's dense tree cover as vital for reducing wildfire risks and supporting environmental stability. Bernard defended his actions by stating that the trees were already dead and posed a hazard, claiming the removals were based on advice from a professional arborist.

However, the city rejected his request for regular removal approval and instead imposed fines and placed a lien on his property, meaning it cannot be sold or developed until the penalties are fully paid. City tree specialists noted that mature trees cannot simply be replaced and that full ecological recovery could take decades or even centuries.