(a)        Offense. – Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person commits the offense of larceny of timber if the person does any of the following:

(1)        Knowingly and willfully cuts down, injures, or removes any timber owned by another person, without the consent of the owner of the land or the owner of the timber, or without a lawful easement running with the land.

(2)        Buys timber directly from the owner of the timber and fails to make payment in full to the owner by (i) the date specified in the written timber sales agreement or (ii) if there is no such agreement, 60 days from the date that the buyer removes the timber from the property.

(b)        Exceptions. – The following are exceptions to the offense set forth in subsection (a) of this section:

(1)        A person is not guilty of an offense under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section if the person is an employee or agent of an electric power supplier, as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 62-133.8, and either of the following conditions is met:

a.         The person believed in good faith that consent of the owner had been obtained prior to cutting down, injuring, or removing the timber.

b.         The person believed in good faith that the cutting down, injuring, or removing of the timber was permitted by a utility easement or was necessary to remove a tree hazard. For purposes of this sub-subdivision, the term “tree hazard” includes a dead or dying tree, dead parts of a living tree, or an unstable living tree that is within striking distance of an electric transmission line, electric distribution line, or electric equipment and constitutes a hazard to the line or equipment in the event of a tree failure.

(2)        A person is not guilty of an offense under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section if either of the following conditions is met:

a.         The person remitted payment in full within the time period set in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section to a person he or she believed in good faith to be the rightful owner of the timber.

b.         The person remitted payment in full to the owner of the timber within the 10-day period set forth in subsection (c) of this section.

(c)        Prima Facie Evidence. – An owner of timber who does not receive payment in full within the time period set in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section may notify the timber buyer in writing of the owner’s demand for payment at the timber buyer’s last known address by certified mail or by personal delivery. The timber buyer’s failure to make payment in full within 10 days after the mailing or personal delivery authorized under this subsection shall constitute prima facie evidence of the timber buyer’s intent to commit an offense under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section.

(d)       Penalty; Restitution. – A person who commits an offense under subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a Class G felony. Additionally, a defendant convicted of an offense under subsection (a) of this section shall be ordered to make restitution to the timber owner in an amount equal to either of the following:

(1)        Three times the value of the timber cut down, injured, or removed in violation of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section.

(2)        Three times the value of the timber bought but not paid for in violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section.

Restitution shall also include the cost incurred by the owner to determine the value of the timber. For purposes of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, “value of the timber” shall be based on the stumpage rate of the timber.

(e)        Civil Remedies. – Nothing in this section shall affect any civil remedies available for a violation of subsection (a) of this section. ?(1889, c. 168; Rev., s. 3687; C.S., s. 4306; 1957, c. 1437, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 77; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2009-508, s. 1; 2021-78, s. 5(a).)