Kentucky

From Herald Leader:

Ky. lawmakers consider measures to prevent tree theft

Mitchum Whitaker's heart sank when he saw what loggers had done to his property. Bulldozer tracks running to and fro. Freshly sawn stumps left where giant oaks had towered above the understory. Broken tree tops cluttering the ground.

On the timber market, the 12 trees that were taken from his Letcher County property were worth an estimated $5,000. To Whitaker, they were priceless, especially one that he had often sat beneath whiling away the hours with his grandfather, father and later his son.

"We had our initials carved into that tree," Whitaker said. "When I went up there and saw that tree cut down, it was like sticking a knife in you."

Tree thieves have been blamed for stealing timber across the country, often taking advantage of elderly and absentee landowners. When confronted, some may claim they didn't realize they had crossed property lines.

In many cases, they've had little to fear from prosecutors who may consider the matter a property dispute.