Three cherry trees in Harrogate have been vandalised in the latest incident of its kind on the Stray.
Nearby resident Cheryl Flint was upset to notice the snapped branches on the parkland off York Place this morning.
What appears to be a school tie is hanging from a branch opposite one of the damaged trees.
Another snapped branch
Ms Flint said:
“We wait all year for these beautiful trees to bloom — then some idiots think that it is acceptable for the mindless behaviour.”
The rows of cherry trees are a popular attraction on the Stray, particularly in spring when they blossom. But they have become a magnet for vandals.
The latest damage is less severe than that which occurred in August 2021 when eight trees were affected.
In October 2020, a police officer tweeted about a number of trees “destroyed and killed” on York Place Stray.
Stray trees vandalism: Harrogate man offers to pay for new ones
Harrogate businessman Guy Tweedy has offered to pay for new trees on the Stray to replace the ones vandalised.
The Stray Ferret published a video last week showing teenagers ripping up two young trees.
They were part of a batch of 55 cherry trees paid for by Mr Tweedy to commemorate thalidomide victims, two babies and a local headteacher. They were planted six or seven years ago.
Mr Tweedy, who is also a thalidomide campaigner, has emailed Harrogate Borough Council offering to pay for replacement trees. He said:
“I wonder if whoever did this realises the significance of the trees and how upsetting it is to people.
“Sadly this is not the first time this has happened. How do we stop people from doing it? I don’t know what the answer is.”
Vandals seriously damage Stray cherry trees again
Eight cherry trees on the Stray has been vandalised over the weekend.
Some of the trees line the footpath known as Cherry Tree Walk, opposite the Kwik Fit garage, where branches have been deliberately broken or snapped off.
Vandalism to the trees has become a persistent problem with regular incidents over the past year.
In October last year, local police officer, Sgt Paul Cording tweeted about a number of trees “destroyed and killed” on York Place Stray.
Last summer there were reports of vandalism affecting young trees when local police officers were attempting to crack down on large groups congregating illegally on the Stray.
“What a sad and sorry sight to see these beautiful trees subjected to mindless vandalism once again.
Many have been planted in memory of loved ones and many for victims of the thalidomide tragedy. In every case love and consideration has gone into the planting of these trees which bring so much pleasure to so many In Harrogate and beyond.
As I said only recently when another tree was vandalised, this is utterly appalling and disgraceful behaviour. There is no polite way of describing the perpetrators of these abysmal acts. Devastating in every way and for everyone. Despicable behaviour, just despicable.”
A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said its parks team would assess the damage to the trees and remove broken branches.