Tree Vandalism in Central Oregon

[smokechase II]

Forest Service Seeks Public Help In Tree Vandalism Case
SISTERS—Federal law enforcement officers want the public’s help in prosecuting those responsible for cutting off the tops of about 50 trees on the Deschutes National Forest about four miles south of Sisters.
Deschutes National Forest Law Enforcement Officer Fred Perl said it appears someone destroyed the Ponderosa Pine and Western Juniper trees in late December because the trees obstructed skyline views. The site lies off Harrington Loop Road where several homes are scattered on private lots adjacent to federal land.
“We’re reaching out to the public to see if anyone heard chainsaws operating or saw vehicles in the area, during that time,” Perl said. “We want the community to know we take this very seriously and would appreciate their assistance.”
Perl said the work was done by someone skilled at tree climbing and chainsaw use because the trees were cut at various heights. “It is an extremely dangerous practice and it takes some expertise,” he said.
Cutting or damaging trees on public land is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail, or both, plus restitution. The crime can be prosecuted as a felony if timber values exceed $1,000.
Perl asks anyone with information about the incident to telephone him at (541) 549-7641, or through the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 693-6911.
“This was a selfish act at the public’s expense,” Perl said.

 

[smokechase II]

tree problems all over

The arrogance of the few.
This stuff happens periodically. In Bend Oregon and also in Vancouver BC a couple years ago.
Hope they get nailed.

If this was a pro arborist doing this on the sly. I would have no objection to a fairly severe penalty on them too.

 

[antigrassguy]

I would hope the person or persons get caught and recieve a fine of $5,000 and six months in jail PER tree. It would be nice to get ahold of the homeowner as well.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

I have been offered insane money to do night missions, I have never done it, but most people at some stage have a price.

 

[Jim1NZ]

Yea the penalties simply are not tough enough are they.

 

[bendtrees]

Newschannel 21 link on the story

http://www.ktvz.com/story.cfm?nav=news&storyID=17985#

http://www.ktvz.com/story.cfm?nav=news&storyID=17985#

Thanks for the post Smoke.

I might have to poke around out there this weekend to check it out.
It seems that determining who the guilty homeowner(s) is/are should be pretty easy, but perhaps its more complicated than that?

 

[bendtrees]

even better

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/news/2007/01/images/toptrees1.jpg

I wonder who lives in the gray house. I assume it lies north of the trees.
Surprisingly, Our number is in the book and no one has called us to ask if we were involved. I'm guessing the homeowner had to try a couple of different of companies before he found someone to do it.:bang: ?Bureaucracy in action?

 

[M.D. Vaden]

Hope they push the issue.

If I was the investigator, I'd pull a type of bluff by going to the banks in town asking if they have bank accounts of the property owners.

Of course the bank would say no, but they would also call the homeowners - a little bit of heat via the domino effect.

Eventually, something has to crack somewhere.

Tree services don't do that work for free. Some homeowner must be hiding.

Who knows, maybe they can narrow down the field by checking the size of chips, or seeing if there are "dog"marks on the tree. Also, were the cuts random, or done with some kind of logic. I'll bet that there's evidence to rule out 3/4 or the tree workers in the area if the right person looks for the right clues.

 

[woodchux]

Definitely a cash job...

 

[Yeahman]

Not good. Here in Aus, some home owner poisoned heaps of pines that were blocking their view of the ocean. in response the council construced a huge billboard where the trees were. It read "in memory of the trees that were poisoned here".

Vaden sounds like a bit of a forensic freak, no offense meant. your right the clues are all there to be matched to some ones equipment and style.

I think though the homeowner is the one that should be easily identified by the sounds of it, maybe even more then one home owner? the Arborist who did it is clearly more in love with money then trees, i hope he's tracked down and dealt with.

 

[SilentElk]

that billboard is a good idea. Something obnoxious for sure. Orange with hot pink border and flames?

 

[OTG BOSTON]

I have been offered insane money to do night missions, I have never done it, but most people at some stage have a price.

I am amazed at the number of people I meet who ask me the best way to KILL a tree! I never answer and usually launch into a tirade of why trees are good .....................