The City of Santa Maria is asking for the public's help to determine why three trees were killed after a person drilled into their trunks and possibly injected them with chemicals.
The poisoned trees are located at 527 West Main Street and 307 West Taft Street. The estimated damages are $7,900 excluding removal and replacement costs.
The Recreation and Parks Department is working with a tree pathologist to find out the exact cause of the trees' deaths and exactly what chemicals were used.
On Monday, June 22 the Park and Urban Forest Supervisor noticed two trees that died very quickly. An Arborist investigation revealed multiple drill holes near the base of the main trunk of one of the trees.
The holes were determined to be fresh and were filled up with some sort of caulking. Drill holes are typically indicative of chemical injection.
On Thursday, June 25 the same supervisor was routinely marking a dead tree for removal when he noted another tree had also been drilled and likely chemically injected.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the City of Santa Maria’s Recreation and Parks Department at (805) 925-0951 extension 2260.
