St. Paul suffers second mass tree vandalism damaging 32 saplings

Vandals cut down 32 recently planted saplings along Shepard Road in St. Paul (south of the Smith Avenue High Bridge), leaving their canopies behind; the damage was reported Oct. 24. This is the second such attack in less than a year after about 60 trees planted with nonprofit Tree Trust were uprooted and many thrown into the Mississippi River last November, an incident that cost roughly $40,000. The trees had been planted last fall to help restore the riverside canopy lost to emerald ash borer, and city and nonprofit partners are weighing next steps to replace them but say no funding has been identified. St. Paul Parks and Recreation said it remains committed to growing the urban canopy, urged residents to help by watering newly planted trees, and asked anyone with information to call the police non-emergency line at 651-291-1111.