Valuable trees poisoned by diesel fuel prompt officials to offer hefty reward for any information
FILE-Washoe County Sheriff Shelly Tone photographs damaged trees on Aug. 6, 2026 after a substance believed to be copper sulfate was injected into holes bored into the tree trunks and diesel fuel was poured on the ground around the base of the trees.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - Valuable trees continue to die off at Burnt Cedar Beach in Nevada after an unknown person poisoned multiple trees in the area.
Officials have discovered over a dozen trees, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, have been poisoned since May 26, according to the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID).
Because of this, local officials are resorting to alternative methods to find out who has been poisoning trees at Burnt Cedar Beach in Nevada.
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The IVGID is offering a $25,000 reward, and an additional $122,000 is being offered from a group of private donors for any information leading to the arrest of whoever is responsible for destroying these trees.
The organization said that in order to get the reward, information must be provided by March 31, 2027.
As damage assessments continue, the estimated value of the destruction is over $300,000 since the poisoning started happening in 2022.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first act of tree destruction in the area; since 2022, 28 trees have been targeted on the property.
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"The District recognizes the value of these trees to the community and is resolved to work with law enforcement to hold accountable those responsible for attempting to destroy them," the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office said.
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The IVGID said their grounds department and expert arborists have worked to mitigate the damage to the trees, and they hope to eventually save them.
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.