Tree-Chopper Sought Pear Tree Was Planted In 1986 As Part Of Local Improvement

It wasn’t George Washington’s cherry tree, but downtown officials still want someone to tell the truth.

The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association is offering a $200 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person who cut down a tree along Sherman Avenue.

Malcolm Johnstone, the association’s executive director, said the tree was probably felled sometime between midnight and 6 a.m. Wednesday.

“Kids on the corner of 6th (Street) and Sherman (Avenue) cut down a tree,” Johnstone said. “I’m upset about it.”

The eight-inch thick, 25-foot tall tree appeared to have been cut by a hand saw, Johnstone said.

“The trees were planted as part of a physical design improvement back in 1986,” Johnstone said. “It costs at least $1,000 to replace it. But replacing it is different from its value.”

City forester Karen Haskew, said the tree was a Bradford Flowering Pear.

“Not everybody walks around carrying a saw,” Haskew said. “I don’t know if it was a simple act of vandalism. It probably took a good bit of energy.”

Johnstone has had other problems downtown with people stealing speakers that last year broadcast classical music in areas where youths tended to hang out.

“Last year, there were young people hanging out by the speakers. So much for the repellant idea,” Johnstone said. “Somebody else came up with that idea.”

Johnstone now plays mostly oldies through the speakers, with the occasional classical tune.

“It was designed to create a sense of activity downtown,” he said.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call the Coeur d’Alene Police Department at 769-2320.

This sidebar appeared with the story: FAST FACT

Reward offered The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association is offering a $200 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person who cut down a pear tree along Sherman Avenue. Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call the Coeur d’Alene Police Department at 769-2320.