this is disturbing

[Den Socling]

To say the least! http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/06/us/california-redwoods-poaching/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

[drobertson]

very disturbing, amazing folks go so low,

[jargo432]

They're lucky the tree didn't get even.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

If the right person catches them....it may just balance out.

[sawguy21]

That is pure unadulterated greed. >:(  The tree can't survive with that kind of damage and becomes a major hazard. As jargo432 suggests maybe one will get even and thin the herd.

[thecfarm]

Must be close to a road,or a place to get a 4 wheeler into? That is too bad.

[pol_bishop25]

What a monstrosity. Such people should go to jail for this...

[Magicman]

That is a horrible mutilation !!  Hopefully some way/how they can be tracked down, and to think that there are others in line ready and willing to do the same thing.

[DeerMeadowFarm]

Seems like it would be fairly easy to stake out potential areas. It must be close to some road or a trail and a chainsaw's roar carries pretty far in the woods at night...

[ely]

couldn't see the link, if the damage is bad they should cut the tree down and make lumber out of it. no sense in it going to waste.

[Ocklawahaboy]

I saw that today too. Was actually just signing on to post it.  Sick people.  Glad I got to see some of those trees before they got butchered.  Sorry the next generation won't get that chance.  Tough to prevent.  When I was there, would have been easy to slip in and do that.  Not too long ago someone burned down the biggest cypress in Florida.  Never caught them either. 

If the tree dies it should be left to rot.  Milling it introduces the possibility of another profit motive and more mutilation.

[Warbird]

:(

[martyinmi]

Now what kind of individual would be willing to purchase a piece of that tree or anything made from it?
Could there be some sort of twisted pride in ownership that results from the illegal purchase of a fragment of our history, all the while knowing you couldn't/can't display it or brag about it without the fear of being arrested?

[BradMarks]

It's a twisted mentality for sure, totally unacceptable. This is a fairly new phenomenon. Unfortunately, a number of factors are in play. That particular redwood forest is relatively "isolated" between towns on Hwy 101.  Unemployment is sky high, with little chance of finding decent paying work. Mills are shut down, tourism is down. If they're not growing dope or being a backyard chemist, there's no money in the pocket. Poor economy, budget cuts - lack of enforcement personnel, idiots with chain saws. That there is a perfect storm. 

[Ljohnsaw]

Hmmm,  There is a guy on CraigsList in the Sacramento area that has all sorts of burl slabs for sale... :-\

[Den Socling]

Some of these comments remind me of several years ago. One of the kids had brought home a little pine tree for Arbor Day. I planted it near the road. It grew with a perfect Christmas tree shape. One day around Christmas time somebody cut it down and stole it. What kind of low life trash could sit in his home and show off the tree he stole from our yard.

[Ocklawahaboy]

We were riding through there and just a quarter mile from the parking lot to the biggest grove is one of the most back woods neighborhoods ive ever accidentally driven through.  these people have very easy access to the tree with little chance of getting caught.  closing a road is going to do nothing.

[drobertson]

we lost several pines around Christmas time a few years back,  crazy stuff, lazy folks for sure, these on the thread go much deeper than a simple white pine, it is criminal, as  is all timber theft,  but to get into these majestic timbers, almost border lines on murder, jmo