Smythesdale man Aaron Thomas Hampson pleaded guilty to five charges at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The charges included cutting and removing timber, unauthorised timber harvesting operations and use of a vehicle on public land in the Ross Creek State Forest.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning prosecutor Stephen McGrath told the court Hampson was caught felling trees, cutting the wood with a chainsaw and selling it, during a year-long DELWP investigation into the removal of illegal firewood in the area.

The investigation involved concealed cameras and DELWP officers on duty in the Ross Creek State Forest special protection zone where the collection of firewood is prohibited.

The court heard Hampson was caught felling trees and collecting firewood on six occasions in the Ross Creek State Forest between July 2018 and April 2019.

Mr McGrath said Hampson sold the firewood on at least two occasions for a total of $1000 after placing advertisements in the Colac Herald newspaper.

DELWP officers and Victoria Police executed a search warrant at Hampson's home and his father's home in Smythesdale on April 30.

During an interview, Hampson admitted to removing the firewood, said he was the owner of the vehicle captured on CCTV, did not hold a licence or a permit to remove firewood from non-designated areas and was selling the collected wood.

DELWP officers and police seized five chainsaws, two utility vehicles, 4.6 metres squared of firewood and a diary that shows entries that corresponded with the firewood sales.

Mr McGrath said the felling of trees and the removal of firewood in the special protection zone had damaged the environment by removing habitat, including mature trees that had hollows for native species, and damaged vegetation.

"These are very serious offences," he said.

"His actions were deliberate, intentional and unlawful."

Representing himself at court, Hampson said he was not aware the habitat was protected, but he admitted he had a lengthy history of related offending.

Hampson said he had made substantial changes to his life since the offending, starting a new job and study to be a driving instructor, and planned to sell his house to move away from forest areas.

Mr McGrath said the commercial aspect of the offending was an aggravating factor, as well as the environmental damage.

"The wood was cut from areas considered a special protection zone managed for high conservation value. Felling or removing trees in this area can not be done at all," he said.

"There is a need for general and specific deterrence. This type of offending upsets the community and has significant impact on the environment. The investigation required considerable resources."

Hampson said he hoped the court would see him as a 'reformed' former timber harvester.

"You won't see me in this courtroom again," he said.

Magistrate Letizia Torres convicted Hampson of the charges and sentenced him to a nine month community corrections order with a requirement he complete 150 hours community work.

"It is my view you do need to put something back into the community," she said.

"This is something you have done before and is serious and repeated offending."

Hampson was also fined $500 and his two utility vehicles and five chainsaws were forfeited.