Arboricidal Maniacs

Mature trees effectively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it away for decades. They also replenish our supply of oxygen as well as making flooding less likely. Trees also provide shade, especially in hot urban areas. It's consequently sad to read of recent spates of tree killing. In one notable example, in Poole, Dorset (deepest England), mature trees were actually poisoned (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/30/poisoned-oaks-slain-sycamores-whos-behind-britains-tree-murders). Mature Oak and Sycamore trees were killed (advice on how to do this, is available online) after being drilled and having herbicide (e.g. 'Roundup') poured into the hole. It's strongly suspected that these protected trees were killed to improve people's views from their properties (increasing their values) and/or to facilitate development on adjacent land. In Wales, sapling Cherry trees, donated by the Japanese people, were recently simply broken off by vandals. Sadly, people who carry out these crimes are rarely prosecuted when the 'victim' trees are on public land. Getting caught is much more likely, if a tree is on the offender's property. There should be stronger punishments to deter this highly antisocial behaviour. We need our trees.