Community Steps Up to Replace Vandalized Trees
Late last month, dozens of newly planted trees were vandalized along Shepherd Rd., most completely uprooted and thrown in the Mississippi River.
Planted over MEA break by local high school students working with the City and Tree Trust, a nonprofit that works to remove dead elm trees, replacing them with new trees, while providing jobs to those in need, vandals destroyed 60 of the 250 trees planted to replace infested ash trees along the river.
Despite the senseless nature of the destruction, City officials have said the community has stepped up to help replace the $40,000 worth of damage.
“Although unfortunate, the silver lining is we have received an outpouring of support, not only from the community, but from other local businesses,” said Andy Rodriguez, the Parks Director for the City of St. Paul. “Nurseries have offered up support donations, and there are other things and we’re working with Tree Trust.”
Rodriguez said that, because winter is fast approaching, replacement of the trees will have to wait until spring and that the City will provide additional information in the coming months.
