Santa Maria man confesses to poisoning tree
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - A Santa Maria man has confessed to poisoning a tree near West Main Street in late June.
The City of Santa Maria said the man did not realize it was a regulated tree that required a permit for its removal.
A total of three trees were killed in Santa Maria, after being drilled into and injected with chemicals.
It has not been determined who is responsible for poisoning the other two trees.
The certified arborist in Santa Maria said there was not enough live tissue remaining on the trees to determine the chemical substance. But based on the drill holes found on the trees, it is believed the death of the trees was the result of a chemical presence.
The three trees were removed from West Main Street on July 20.
