At least 100 trees hacked in Edmonds park vandalism spree

Edmonds police are trying to find a vandal or vandals who attacked at least 100 trees with a machete or hatchet.

Neighbor Laura Martin first discovered the damage to the trees in Edmonds’ Hutt Park late last week and reported the vandalism.

Sgt. Mark Marsh with the Edmonds Police Department says the damage is extensive.

“None of the trees were cut down, but several of them – especially the younger ones – were damaged so much that they will have to be removed and replaced,” Marsh says.

Martin has created a gofundme campaign to raise money for a reward to help catch whoever is responsible for the vandalism.

“The Hutt Park vandal(s) have hacked, chiseled and slaughtered over 100 decideous trees (i.e. maples and alders) and left them to die,” she writes. “Some of those trees are around 200 years old. It is a devastatingly vicious and costly attack on Mother Nature, and the vandal(s) need to be held accountable.”

Marsh says the parks department will treat and repair some of the damaged trees in hopes of saving as many as possible in the heavily wooded park.

Damage was initially estimated at $20,000 before dozens of more vandalized trees were discovered, according to My Edmonds News.

Police don’t have any leads but hope someone can help identify the vandal or vandals.

“We’re trying to talk to as many people as we can to see if anybody has seen or heard anything,” Marsh says.