CHICAGO (CBS) — The city of Highland Park has a warning for its homeowners: you can’t just lop off the tops of trees — even if they’re on your property.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Regine Schlesinger reports, two homeowners face possible fines running into the tens of thousands of dollars for chopping off the tops of trees on their land at Park Avenue and Egandale Road. One case is still under investigation.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Regine Schlesinger reports

In the other, the unidentified homeowner faces a hearing next week before an administrative officer on charges that more than 50 trees were damaged.

Mayor Nancy Rotering says it doesn’t matter that the trees were on private property.

“The trees in Highland Park are an important part of what makes this community a Tree City USA,” Rotering said. “It’s part of why people come to this area for the beauty.”

Both homes are along the lakefront in the North Shore suburb.

Highland Park has had past run-in’s with homeowners over changes that the city deems inappropriate.

The issue of homeowners tampering with trees may bring back some old memories on the North Shore.

Back in 1987, actor Mr. T cut down more than 100 oak trees on his seven-acre estate in Lake Forest, in a move that infuriated neighbors and was dubbed “The Lake Forest Chainsaw Massacre.”