UPDATE:

It looks like there might be a happy ending to the vandalized tree incident at St Paul's. We received word that on Thursday, Nov 17, students from Ingraham High School's landscaping program will be planting new trees under the instruction of arborists from Seattle's Department of Transportation/Urban forestry.

"This represents a confluence of several positive programs all working together: the small, strong, and scrappy congregation of St Paul's; the urban forestry branch of Seattle's DOT, which has been working for years to improve and increase Seattle's green spaces; and the program at Ingraham High School, directed by Leif Herald, in which special-needs students receive high school credit and vocational training in landscaping," said Christina Bogar from Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church.

Original story:

On Friday, Nov 4, at about 10 p.m. neighbors of St Paul's United Church of Christ on NW 65th called the police to report the sound of laughter and snapping branches on the church property.

When police arrived, they found 6 of the 9 saplings along 65th brutally torn in half.

The trees were only planted last fall and were killed by the act of vandalism.

These trees had been obtained through a grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and had been planted and maintained by church volunteers throughout the summer. Ballard has some of the scantiest tree cover in the city, and 65th is one of the most barren streets in Ballard.

A member of the church has offered a $100 reward for information that leads to apprehension of the vandals. Tips can be reported to anne@stpucc.org or phone in to 206-783-6733.