
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 28, 1995                   TAG: 9510300080
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MUTILATION OF TREES IS UNDER PROBE

Authorities are investigating the mutilation of five trees on the grounds of Fort Lewis Elementary School in Roanoke County.

A custodian found the trees early Monday. Limbs had been torn from the trees, and their trunks had been broken. "Someone must have been very angry," said District Forester Chris Thomsen, who is helping Roanoke County police investigate.

"It was like they were peeling a banana. They took each limb and ripped it down and broke the trees at their base."

The trees - a Kousa dogwood, white dogwood, redbud, Japanese maple and Bradford pear - were planted with funds from a federal grant that promotes tree planting by small businesses. They are valued at $500, Thomsen said.

The incident occurred sometime last weekend. The trees were supposed to be part of an environmental learning center for the 210 schoolchildren.

Thomsen said he and police will distribute fliers in the surrounding neighborhood today, asking if anyone has information about the incident.

by CNB