There’s Been An Illegal Tree Chopping Heist In Bondi

In what can only be described as a suburban Australian, tree-based version of Ocean’s 11, there’s been an illegal tree lopping heist in the suburb of Bondi, in the middle of the day.

A paperbark tree on New Street in Bondi was pruned by a group of high-vis wearing men wielding chainsaws, who claimed they were from the local council. However, this was all a ruse, and was in fact an act of illegal vandalism which is under investigation. You really can get away with most things if you wear high-vis.

It’s also the fourth street on the quiet street to be targeted, with three other trees on the street allegedly poisoned.

Talking to the ABC, residents of the street were upset by the alleged vandalism, as they enjoyed both the aesthetic and the wildlife the tree attracted.

“It was a violation,” one person said. “If someone’s prepared to [pay for the cutting of the tree], what else are they prepared to do?”

At least two residents phoned Waverley Council to complain about the the workers chopping at the tree, assuming that they were removing it entirely. However by the council revealed the men had not been employed by them,  much of the tree was gone.

The motive for the tree heist is unclear – unlike most tree vandalism stories, the tree did not block any houses from something like a waterfront view, with the street being double lined by houses.