The mystery of the Golden Gate Park nature killing continues this week as we learn that nine newly planted tea tree shrubs near Park Presidio and Fulton have been severed at their bases. The severed shrubs were discovered late last week. It is still unclear as to whether all the recent acts of vegetation vandalism are related.
Since May, Golden Gate Park has lost 44 trees in five separate attacks. The killer(s) destroyed the trees by uprooting, sawing, and/or stripping them bare. A corporate donor has already presented 40 trees to replace the vandalized ones.
Last week, 36 rose plants were cut down to their bare sticks. The good news is that it is possible these flowers will grow back.
Police say that all the bushes were meticulously cut with yard tools. Each bed of roses cost the Recreation and Park Department about $5,000 a piece.
Police are now staking out potential targets 24 hours a day. Undercover and uniformed cops will patrol more than 40 hot spots in the park.
There is a $2000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. The San Francisco Parks Trust and Friends of the Urban Forest have each donated $1000 for the reward.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact the Police Department’s Richmond station at (415) 666-8000 or the anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444.
People can also send tips via text message to TIP411.
