Phantom tree killer ‘will stop at nothing’ to enhance sea views
A MYSTERY activist, believed to be seeking to improve coastal views, has damaged six new trees that had been planted to replace three that were wiped out in an earlier attack.
It is feared the phantom tree killer will “stop at nothing” to enhance the view from the clifftop in Bournemouth, Dorset.
In the latest attack, a knife was taken to the young Scots pines to carve away sections of the outer bark in a suspected attempt to bleed out the sap and kill them.
The incident comes a year after three 30ft Scots pines were killed at the same spot after someone drilled holes into their trunks and poured in a herbicide.
The beauty spot is located in front of several blocks of flats that sell for up to £500,000 each and where residents have views of Poole Bay.
It is thought the motive behind the “disturbing and sinister” attacks has been to enhance the sea views of a particular property.
Dorset Police investigated last year’s criminal damage, but did not make any arrests. They were yesterday notified of the latest incident.
The six 8ft saplings were planted to replace the dead ones three months ago and fencing had been put up to protect them. However, the perpetrator climbed over this to reach them.
A CCTV camera was set up in the area at the time of last year’s attack, but it could only remain in position for about a month before it was needed elsewhere.
Chris Colledge, chairman of the West Cliff Green Residents Association, said: “What has happened in the past few months is that six new Scots pines have been put in around the existing trees that have already been poisoned and killed.
“Words are insufficient to express our outrage and disappointment that all six new trees have been criminally damaged.
“It makes the whole thing a much more serious matter because clearly the intention of this individual is to stop at nothing to get rid of these trees. The police need to take this on because this is a much more sinister aspect to what has been happening here.”