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British Columbia's Sunshine Coast police are investigating the vandalism of about 70 trees they say were deliberately cut down, causing them to die over the next year.
RCMP say the City of Powell River was notified of damage to spruce trees located on the old golf course land on November 26th.
Police say municipal officers inspected the area and found that the trees remained standing but had been cut down around their bases, likely with a chainsaw.
The damage was described as “multiple cuts around the entire trunk” and officials say all the trees are expected to die within a year.
“We would like to get to the bottom of this. This is a serious act of vandalism,” said Kevin Clarkson, parks and facilities manager for the city of Powell River.
“About 70 trees were cut down. This is no small feat,” he added in an interview with CBC News.
Clarkson said many of the trees cut down were old Douglas fir, which had great value to the community and ecosystem.
“There are trails that go to an area called Second Beach and also extend further into downtown through Willington Beach Park,” the official said.
“So some residents visit it quite regularly and use it extensively.”
Police say anyone with information about the tree damage is asked to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers.
