CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A Charlotte church may be able to avoid paying a $4,700 fine for excessively pruning eight crape myrtle trees on its property.

The Charlotte Observer reports city officials are working with Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church to reach a solution that would allow the congregation to avoid paying the penalty.

That fix could involve planting new trees and replacing the ones that were pruned.

Charlotte has a 33-year-old ordinance designed to protect trees, and has handed out even larger fines to violators. One business in town was recently fined nearly $10,000 for topping eight maple trees.

Senior urban forester Tom Johnson says Charlotte rarely collects the fines. He says officials are more interested in replacing damaged trees.

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Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotteobserver.com