The case was heard in the Ballarat Magistrate's Court on May 15.

The man was fined $5000 with compensation of $3644 awarded against him.

He pleaded guilty to illegally felling seven trees, removing two fallen trees and illegally removing wood.

Department of Sustainability and Environment Midlands District manager Jon Rofe said 68 cubic metres of firewood seized from the man's property had been forfeited back to DSE to be donated to people in need.

"DSE will arrange for the firewood to be given to charity," he said.

Mr Rofe said it was illegal to take any timber or firewood from state forests without a permit.

"Felling and removal of timber in state forests is governed by the Forests Act 1958, and under this act serious penalties apply," he said.

"The penalty for illegally taking forest produce is a fine of up to $5500 and/or 12 months imprisonment for each offence."

Anyone with information about illegal removal of timber from state forests should contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186.