Tree damage near Ann Arbor parking structure totals $2,000

By John Counts Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Fri, Jun 8, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.

Four trees that were broken in half sometime Thursday night near the Thompson Street parking structure in Ann Arbor amounted to roughly $2,000 in damages.

According to the U-M Department of Public Safety, four ginkgo biloba fastigiatas were found severed on the south side of the structure along a walkway between Division and Thompson streets.

“They were broken off at the trunks about three feet up from the base,” said Diane Brown, spokeswoman for U-M public safety.

It does not appear the trees were sawed. Brown said it was likely the work of vandals with either their hands or an object like a sledgehammer.

“It’s a relatively newly planted area,” Brown said, adding that the trees, which cost $500 apiece, originally stood about 12 feet high.

There are no suspects at this time. Police continued to investigate.

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