Tree Crimes

I was permitted to remove the actual wedge cut from this living pecan tree. Developer trespasses and illegally cut most of the East Dallas Community Gardens 75-year-old Texas state tree, pecan. A month later, the owner returns to find the rest of the tree removed from underneath the property line fence, roots and stump hacked up. Bulldozer buries all evidence in a deep hole in the developer's back property.

Zip code 75204, 2018, 24" x 36"/60.96cm x 91.44cm

It would not be the last time someone illegally cut pieces from the neighborhood park's 88-year-old living pecan tree. Each time the tree sustains significant damage, it continues to thrive. When vandals damage this pecan tree, neighbors gather around it and share stories about the tree's importance to their families. The vandals were charged with a felony since the tree's appraised at $10,000.

Zip code 75228, 2017, 36" x 24"/91.44cm x 60.96cm