Thieves Stealing Birch Trees

Thieves Stealing Birch Trees FARM HOME Miscellaneous Law enforcement officials in the Midwest say there’s been a rash of illegal cutting of small birch trees that are being smuggled out and sold as decorations in stores and online We’re not talking just a few trees but thousands of small birch cut bundled and carted away off public and private land They’re sold as rustic northwoods decorations for homes and events especially weddings A Wisconsin forester said 1 800 trees were cut in one remote area of a national forest Buyers want branches cut before sap starts running so they mostly cut during fall and winter Unlike loggers birch branch thieves can haul a valuable load away in a pickup or trailer Officials say wholesale buyers are posting birch-wanted ads on Craigslist paying between $1 and $3 per branch Menards sells birch “poles” online for $6 99 and on Amazon you can buy four 48-in poles for $45 99

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