On a routine maintenance visit to the Burke-Gilman Trail on Aug. 19, Seattle Parks and Recreation staff discovered that seven mature trees had been intentionally and fatally damaged.The trees are three silver poplars and four Douglas firs, approximately 70 feet in height, along the trail at Northeast 77th Street. Each had quarter-inch holes drilled in it, spaced about 1 inch apart, all the way around the trunk. The three poplars are already dead, two of the Douglas firs are dead and the other two are starting to turn brown. The rapid death of the poplars indicates that herbicide was likely injected in the holes, according to a press release."This loss is significant," said parks superintendent Tim Gallagher, "because there are so few conifers in this area of the trail. No matter how often private citizens damage publicly owned trees, it is always shocking."Parks staff have submitted a police report. Anyone with information about how the trees may have been vandalized are encouraged to call the Seattle Police Department at 625-5011.Police will investigate and seek full damages if they can identify the person who committed the vandalism. This crime could be prosecuted under the state Malicious Mischief statute or under the Timber Trespass Statute.Parks staff estimate the value of the trees at between $40,000 and $60,000, and it will take up to 30 years for the replacement trees to reach maturity. For more information about the condition of the trees, call senior urban forester Mark Mead at 915-7644.[[In-content Ad]]
