Tree Vandalism Prompts Mayor's Outcry, Police to Investigate

HALTON HILLS, ON – The devastating destruction to a 25 year old+ pine tree in Jubilee Park in Georgetown and the uprooting of 150 newly planted trees in Wallace Park in Acton has led Mayor Lawlor to speak out.

“There is no excuse for this intentional destruction,” she said. “One of the best features of our Town is our beautiful trees and I am profoundly disappointed about the deliberate vandalism of public property.”

It was during a townwide clean-up day working in Jubilee Park that the Mayor noticed axe cuts on a mature, very tall pine tree. It had been girdled, with cuts through the bark around the trunk diameter to kill it by disrupting its ability to absorb nutrients.

In Wallace Park, volunteers with the not-for-profit Trees for Halton Hills planted approximately 150 young, potted trees on May 8 but by Mother’s Day, neighbourhood residents noticed that the trees had been ripped out. Residents then came together to try and save the trees by replanting them. Trees for Halton Hills volunteers were also alerted and spent hours on Mother’s Day restoring their previous work. Town staff followed up with much needed water the next day.

The community organization also filed a report with the Halton Regional Police Service.  

“One of the many things that sets Halton Hills apart is the great pride residents take in their community,” said Roger Wilkie, Deputy Chief of Frontline Operations, Halton Regional Police Service. “Vandalism of these, and any public space in our region, are crimes that we, as your police service, take seriously and will not tolerate. As we continue to investigate these incidents, we encourage anyone with information to come forward; together, we will make our towns and cities safer.”

When asked about the vandalism, Don Trant, a member of the volunteer board Trees for Halton Hills said he was “Disappointed and puzzled as to why someone would go to the trouble to do this. We were expanding the edge of the forest by planting native trees which means that they are less susceptible to pests and disease and would provide an environment for other wildlife.” Trant noted the many benefits of trees from mitigating climate change to providing shade and enhancing properties, noting that his organization’s goal was to have one tree planted for every resident in Halton Hills.

As noted by Deputy Chief Wilkie, the Halton Regional Police Service is actively investigating these incidents. Those with information are asked to contact the 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2416. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.crimestoppers.ca.

To learn more about Trees for Halton Hills, visit their website at: 65000trees.ca.  

Planting prior to vandalism

About the Town of Halton Hills

The Town of Halton Hills, with a population of approximately 64,000, consists of two urban centres, Georgetown and Acton, the Halton Hills Premier Gateway employment area, three hamlets – Glen Williams, Stewarttown and Norval – and several smaller settlements. Halton Hills has long been recognized for its natural beauty, active agricultural community, high quality of life and proximity to major centres, including Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto. The Town is ranked as one of the top small communities in Canada by a national magazine.

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