A nursery in Northeast Ohio says a large batch of Christmas trees disappeared over the weekend before Thanksgiving, prompting an investigation by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
Staff at Smith Evergreen Nursery arrived Monday morning to find that about 200 cut and bundled trees — primarily 7- to 9-foot Fraser firs — had been taken from a loaded truck and from the surrounding yard, owner Ian Smith told News 5 Cleveland. The thieves also moved the truck and made off with the key. The family estimates the loss at $8,000 to $10,000 wholesale, potentially twice that amount at retail, and is offering a $500 reward for information.
Deputy Erik Licht described the case as highly unusual for the rural county. “Usually it’s ATVs, side-by-sides, chainsaws — that sort of thing,” he told the outlet. “This is the first time I’ve ever taken a report for cut pine trees.” He added that investigators have some possible leads and encouraged the public to contact the sheriff’s office.
The family believes the theft occurred late Saturday, Nov. 22, or early Sunday, Nov. 23. Security cameras on the property failed to capture the incident, and the nursery has since adjusted their placement to remove blind spots. Employees quickly cut additional trees to fulfill orders for garden centers, a church, and a Boy Scout troop in Cincinnati.
A separate report from the Canton Repository estimated the number of stolen trees closer to 150, with an average wholesale value of about $65 each, according to Smith.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
