Police probe theft of endangered tree

Festive-season thieves uproot ultra-rare species from wood

Christmas tree thieves have stolen an ultra-rare tree from protected Perthshire woodland in the latest festive heist to hit the Fair City.

Police are investigating after the culprits plundered a Serbian spruce from Deuchny Wood near Kinnoull Hill.

More than two dozen of the trees, native to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, were planted in the forest around six years ago as part of a conservation project.

Thieves stole one around a fortnight ago and tried to uproot two more. Countryside Trust bosses say they have now taken extra protective measures in an effort to safeguard the remaining trees.

Perth is regularly hit by thieves during the festive season.

Three years ago, five of the trees were stolen from Deuchny Wood, believed to be sold on as Christmas trees.

In two other years, the nativity scene outside St John’s Kirk was raided.

Police are hunting Christmas tree thieves who uprooted an endangered spruce from a Perth forest.

Raiders forced their way into Deuchny Wood at Kinnoull Hill, on the edge of the city, and made off with an almost extinct species of Serbian spruce from its protective cage.

They also tried to steal two other trees, which were found partially uprooted.

Native to forests of BosniaHerzegovina and western Serbia, the trees look similar to the Norwegian spruce – a popular type of Christmas tree.

Police are working with Forest and Land Scotland (FLS) to identify the criminals.

The Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) operates the conservation area alongside the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh and FLS. About 29 Serbian spruce saplings were planted at the wood around six years ago as part of a conservation project.

Three years ago, five Serbian spruces were stolen from the Kinnoull Hill site.

PKCT has now upped security at the forest to protect the remaining trees.

Doug Flint, manager of the Perthshire Big Tree Country Conifer Conservation Programme, said: “It’s a frustrating loss, especially given the effort that people have made to try and secure the future of this particular endangered species.

He added: “The thefts have striking similarities and suggest that someone has intended to replant the trees and sell them on.

“If anyone has noticed an unusual tree being planted – maybe as part of some garden redesign or renovation work – we would urge them to pass on any information either to us or the police.”

The thieves struck sometime between November 29 and December 5.

They forced open a gateway barrier and drove through the woods, using a network of paths.

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen any unmarked vehicles at the site in the days leading up to the theft. The number to call with information is 101.

Trees are not the only festive favourites to have gone missing in Perth in recent years.

In 2016, a baby Jesus doll and a lamb were stolen from a nativity scene outside St John’s Kirk.

The items were returned undamaged and a 17-year-old girl and two boys, aged 18 and 19, were given a police warning.

One of the footpaths at Deuchny Wood. Picture: Phil Hannah.