St. Paul Nonprofit Stunned By Vandalism Destroying Freshly Planted Trees

A recent act of vandalism in Saint Paul has left a local nonprofit reeling after 59 freshly planted trees were uprooted and discarded, causing an estimated $40,000 in damages. The trees, planted by Tree Trust and its young workers, were intended to replace diseased ash trees along Shepard Road.

Key Takeaways

59 out of 245 trees planted were destroyed or uprooted.
Estimated damage costs around $40,000.
The trees were planted by Tree Trust, focusing on urban forestry and youth employment.
14 trees were salvaged and replanted, while the rest will be addressed in spring.
Saint Paul Police are seeking tips to identify the vandals.

The Incident

The vandalism occurred over the MEA weekend, shocking the staff and volunteers of Tree Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to urban forestry and providing job training for youth. Henry Frankson and Malick Jenke, two workers from Tree Trust, were among the first to discover the aftermath of the destruction.

"I could see just a trail of dirt leading up to the edge [of the river]. We were looking over, and we could see several trees," Frankson recounted, expressing his disappointment and frustration at the senseless act.

Community Impact

The trees were not just plants; they represented hope and a commitment to improving the community. Karen Dumach, the Director of Community Forestry at Tree Trust, emphasized the importance of their work, stating, "There was a lot of hope around the work they were doing, having that impact on the community into the future."

The trees were specifically planted to replace ash trees that had been removed due to disease, highlighting the ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance the urban landscape in Saint Paul.

Recovery Efforts

Despite the significant loss, 14 of the uprooted trees were salvaged and replanted. However, the remaining trees will require further attention in the spring, as the city assesses the full extent of the damage.

The total estimated cost of the vandalism is around $40,000, a substantial amount that reflects not only the financial impact but also the labor and dedication of the young workers involved in the planting.

Seeking Justice

In the wake of this incident, the Saint Paul Police Department is actively investigating the vandalism and is seeking any tips from the public that could lead to identifying those responsible. The community is urged to come forward with any information that may assist in solving this case.

As the investigation continues, the staff at Tree Trust are left grappling with the emotional toll of the vandalism, trying to understand the motivations behind such a destructive act. "I was confused, honestly. I wanted to know what the thought process behind it was," Jenke shared, reflecting the sentiments of many in the community who are equally perplexed by the senseless crime.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by nonprofits and community organizations dedicated to improving urban environments, and the importance of community support in the face of adversity.