Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever unlawfully cuts, or 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 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 787 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §601(a)(8), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3498.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to unlawfully cut, or recklessly injure or destroy, any tree on U.S. land reserved for public use, on an Indian reservation or tribal land, or on certain Indian allotments held in trust by the government.