Gorleston tree poisoning reward is offered by leaseholders at landmark building
Council leader Graham Plant by some of the trees that have been poisoned in the Gorleston area. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher
A reward is being offered to find a tree poisoner who targeted the grounds of a Gorleston landmark building.
A number of trees with tree preservation orders have been poisoned in the Gorleston area. Koolunga House. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher
Eight trees at Koolunga House in Addison Road have been poisoned by having holes drilled in them and an unknown substance poured into them, leading to a loss of leaves.
A number of trees with tree preservation orders have been poisoned in the Gorleston area. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher
In a bid to find the offender or offenders the leaseholders at Koolunga House, which is divided into seven flats have teamed, up to offer a £700 reward through the Koolunga RTM company, which maintains the building and its grounds.
The damaged trees include a horse chestnut tree and three beech trees and a holly bush was also poisoned with another property also being affected.
Rob Smith, chairman of the Koolunga RTM, said: 'It is really, really heartbreaking to have this part of the environment poisoned.
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'There has been significant damage caused to them.
'I am devastated someone has taken this action which from the visual effect has frozen these trees to their dormant winter state. I believe Koolunga's grounds to be of significant importance, and trees on this site go back many hundreds of years.
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'We have offered the reward to see if anyone has any information on who might have done it.
'I know that many people are appalled by what has occurred.'
While the story of the poisoning was revealed in this paper nearly two weeks ago, Mr Smith had been aware of a problem since last summer after a tree surgeon found holes had been drilled into trees.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council has launched an investigation, with samples waiting to be tested and evaluated.
Council leader Graham Plant had visited the site of the poisoning and pledged to prosecute the culprit or culprits if the authority finds out who was responsible.
Those responsible could face a fine of up to £20,000 if they are convicted by magistrates. Fine can be unlimited for anyone who willingly destroys a tree if the case goes to crown court.
Koolunga House was built in 1826 for naval officer John Garnham and was originally called Hill House.
Anyone with information on the poisoning can contact Mr Smith by emailing smithrwj396@yahoo.com
