BIRMINGHAM, Mich. -- A Michigan man has learned an expensive lesson: Don't cut down a city-owned tree.

The city has fined the owner of Great Lakes Custom Building, Jim Wiese, $12,140 for chopping down a city-owned maple tree on Northlawn Boulevard on July 21 to make room for a new house, reported WDIV-TV in Detroit.

The 40-foot-tall, 31-inch diameter tree was standing in the public right-of-way, making it property of the city of Birmingham.

A city official said it's illegal to cut down a city-owned tree without permission.

Wiese has until Friday to pay the entire amount. City officials said $11,640 will be deposited in the city tree fund and used to purchase three large trees and two smaller ones, which will be planted along Northlawn Boulevard.

The remaining $500 is a civil fine.