MFPD seeks poisoners
Lew Cohn/The Highlander
A sign on the east side of US 281 in front of Blair's Western Wear asks the question. MFPD wants the answer. See more views of the Live Oak in question on The-Highlander Facebook page.
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
“I've been poisoned! Who? Why?”
So reads a sign posted by a critically ill Live Oak tree in front of Blair's Western Wear at 2501 US 281 in Marble Falls.
In mid-June the tree was encircled at its base with what police are calling a “toxic substance” and they hope a tip from the public can solve the crime of who has poisoned the tree.
The leaves are beginning to turn brown and the prognosis is not good for survival of the arboreal patient. Since the tree is only about five inches in diameter, it may no sound like much of a loss, but it is.
“The estimated value of replacing the tree is $25,000,” said Marble Falls Police Capt. B.J. Nelson. “The tree itself is worth $10-$15,000, but there will be a site clean-up for the toxic substance.
“The charge is criminal mischief. We welcome information about the perpetrators.”
“We put the tree in when we built the store in 2001,” said Todd Blair, owner of the popular westerwear store. “It was a sapling when it was put in and we were hoping for another great tree for Marble Falls. There is a hint of green left, but it likely won't survive.
“A test sample (of the poison) was sent off and it seems to be a mixture of petroleum products, including turpentine. There's no way to know now how deep it goes into the soil.”
Texans love their Live Oaks and, in Marble Falls, they once lined the center of Main Street where horses could be hitched while riders shopped downtown.
In 50 years a Live Oak can grow to 50 feet in height. Foresters estimate the famed Treaty Oak in Austin to be more than 500 years old and, before its vandalism in 1989, the tree's branches had a spread of 127 feet. It took the backing of billionaire H. Ross Perot to savea third of the historic tree and a $10,000 reward to bring Paul Stedman Cullen to trial for the crime. Cullen was found guilty of the herbicide poisoning, but the jury came short of the life sentence that was on the line. He maintained his innocence throughout the third of a nine year sentence he served.
Anyone with knowledge of the person or persons involved in the vandalism of this younger cousin in the Live Oak family should contact the Marble Falls Police Department by calling 830-693-3611 or submit an anonymous tip via Tip411 on the Marble Falls Police Department's Facebook page. Tips can also be made to Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-TIPS (8477).
