Police investigating as vandals axe five streets trees in Ridgehaven

Tea Tree Gully Council has called in the police after senseless attacks on its street trees in recent weeks.

A gum tree was cut down in Chinner Reserve this week. Pictures: Cazz Stephens

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Vandals are chopping down young street trees in Ridgehaven, angering residents and the local council.

Five trees have been targeted in recent weeks – two gums in Dale Reserve and another in nearby Chinner Reserve, a callistemon on the corner of Patricia and Hawke streets and a flowering plum on the corner of Patricia St and Dale Ave.

The axed flowering plum was left in a resident’s front yard.

Tea Tree Gully Council has reported the vandalism to police.

Ridgehaven resident Cazz Stephens was disgusted to discover the gum hacked down in Chinner Reserve.

“It was really disappointing to see such a young tree pointlessly cut down,” Mrs Stephens said.

She had no idea who was responsible for the callous act, but noted the razed tree had clear saw marks at the base.

Five young trees have been cut down in Ridgehaven over the past five weeks, including at Dale and Chinner reserves. Picture: Google Maps

The council’s parks manager, Andrew Sellars, was baffled by the acts of vandalism.

“It’s hard to understand why anyone would want to destroy these trees,” Mr Sellars said.

“It’s disappointing and illegal. We encourage anyone with information about tree vandalism to contact SAPOL.”

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Cr Peter Field was sad the trees had been axed.

“We need the trees in our reserves, they bring birds and other native animals,” Cr Field said.

“It is better to wake up to the sound of birds than traffic.”

Police were investigating.