Trees poisoned in greedy stampede for Sydney harbour vistas

SYDNEY - Sydney is suffering from an epidemic of tree poisoning as homeowners seek a prized vista of the city's famous harbour and beaches.

Opening up a view of the water can add thousands of dollars to the value of a harbourside mansion or apartment. The arboreal assassins emerge at night to drill holes in the base of trees, injecting powerful herbicides or other poisons. Within weeks the tree is dead and the local council is compelled to remove it in case it topples over.

The illegal tree killing has become an epidemic, according to the New South Wales environment minister, Bob Debus, fuelled by Sydney's overheated property market and an obsession with water glimpses.

The state government plans to change the law to make it easier to prosecute offenders, and to allow council officers to search the homes of suspects for drills and poison.

Until now it has been difficult to get convictions. Councils are resorting to more aggressive tactics. Dead trees are often replaced with huge banners which block the view of the harbour or sea and shame the perpetrators.

"This tree has been poisoned", reads a sign strung up this week in the branches of a giant fig tree in the upmarket harbourside suburb of Woollahra.

The tree's lingering death is opening up enviable harbour glimpses for a newly built four-bedroom house, although the developer has declared his innocence.

"The community is saying enough is enough," said council chief arborist, David Sheils. "Everyone is gutted that people are becoming so brazen in poisoning trees for financial gain."