Cornell Plantations is offering a $250 reward for information leading to a conviction of those responsible for cutting down a valuable tree in its pine collection.

The Bosnian pine valued at $3,800 appeared to have been downed with a hatchet or axe then dragged to the edge of the road in the F.R. Newman Arboretum and left there, according to an announcement from Cornell Plantations on Monday. The tree was cut sometime Thursday evening, Nov. 20 or the morning of Friday, Nov. 21, just before steps were taken to protect the Plantations' conifers from seasonal theft and vandalism.

Every year, the Plantations tries to protect its conifers from thieves who want them as Christmas trees by spraying them with a concoction that makes the trees look unhealthy. The substance eventually washes off in the rain. This tree, however, was cut before the trees in the botanical garden and arboretum were treated.

“This tree was nearly four decades old, had been started from seed, and was essentially irreplaceable,” said Plantations director Don Rakow. “Each tree is an integral part of Plantations' educational collections, and a beautiful addition to the Cornell and Ithaca communities. Their destruction is deeply disturbing.”

Plantations horticultural supervisor Jim Mack likened such trees to artwork in a museum. “This crime is similar to vandalizing or destroying an irreplaceable painting,” he said.

Anyone with information relating to the tree vandalism is asked to contact Cornell Police at 255-1111.