Police seek individuals who vandalized trees

Blackfoot police are looking for individuals involved in vandalizing two 45-foot Blue Spruce trees that border Bergener Boulevard.

Officials report the incident happened about two weeks ago, and the damage was found when City Parks and Recreation employees were cleaning in the area around the trees.
According to reports, it appears someone utilized a chainsaw to girdle the trunks of both trees. The process of girdling is a method used for killing a tree by interrupting the flow of sap between the roots and the crown of the tree, and the Blackfoot City Forester has determined the trees will die in approximately six months.

These trees are valued at approximately $10,000 each.

City officials will be replacing the trees as soon as possible, but the replacements will not be as imposing as those lost, as officials are limited in the size of Blue Spruce that they are able to safely plant.

Police are actively investigating the incident, and anyone with knowledge of who might have been involved with this vandalism of City property is encouraged to come forward by contacting Detective Wesley Wheatley at 208-785-1234.