In December of 2017, Mitch Smith wrote a story in the New York Times about holiday greenery vanishing from locations across the US.
Thieves cutting down live trees from public locations is a long-running – and highly illegal – source of crime in this country. This past season, however, it seemed that such crimes saw a major uptick.
It wasn’t just cutting down live trees either. It was live trees, but also stealing decorated trees from displays and homes.
It seemed to be happening coast to coast.
On a farm in New York – https://www.nyspnews.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=59789
On a college campus in Minnesota – https://www.wildlifecontrolsupplies.com/animal/WCSSKUNK.html
From the front counter of a burger joint in Texas – https://www.facebook.com/SeguinPolice/videos/1754001774669751/
From a farm in Massachusetts – https://www.facebook.com/hadleypolice/posts/1612010748842245
At a charity event in Wood River, Illinois – https://www.facebook.com/woodriverpd/posts/545080832502935
The remedy, for some tree protectors? Skunks.
Landscaping crews have begun spraying skunk essence on their live trees to deter thieves. And it appears to be working. The University of Idaho even published a recipe for their theft-deterrent spray, which is a combination of skunk essence and fox urine.
We hope your trees made it through the holidays unscathed. If you need any help, though, we here at Tree Images are at the ready to assist you. Please give us a shout at 513-528-4167 if you need any help with your yard. We remove trees, we remove branches, we heal trees, we shovel snow, and we handle all sorts of landscaping.
