Anybody else ever had a tree stolen?!

jamesharcourt

I’m just reeling from having a potted Japanese Maple “Bloodgood” which I’ve spent a lot of time working on (there’s a thread about it on this forum) stolen from my front garden after all that repotting into a really nice free draining mix and root maintenance back in late Winter.   Not to mention the religious program of seaweed root feeding.  Stolen - along with the pot. Absolutely gutted!

JennyJ

How bl***y infuriating .  I've heard of people having hanging baskets and suchlike stolen, but never a tree!  I hope it ups and dies on them

Yviestevie

I've had 8 stolen.  Went to bed with a row of leylandii planted as a hedge in the front garden.  Got up and they were all gone.  All that was left was a trail of soil to the kerb.  They had been in about 5 or 6 weeks.  Apparently I looked a picture in my dressing gown with a cuppa in my hand on the front step wondering why the garden looked so different. 

In another house someone tried to steal a pot with a bay tree in from beside the front door, but the pot was too heavy and they left it half way down the drive. We put it back in place and chained it to the wall.

PeggyTX

That's just awful.  Such slow-growing trees that represent so much time and effort in one the size of yours.  I have one potted out front, but it's way too small for anyone to be interested in stealing it just yet. 

I DO worry about my two pots of Ixora 'Maui' flanking my post box disappearing one day, but (knock on wood) they have survived 4 months so far without "walking".  

jamesharcourt

I've replaced the Acer above with a Cotinus "Candy Floss" in a very large pot with some stones at the bottom.  Once the roots get a hold it will be hard to get out of the pot and the pot will be heavy to move. 

Tempted to put a camera out there.

jamesharcourt

Peggy in Texas said:

That's just awful.  Such slow-growing trees that represent so much time and effort in one the size of yours.  I have one potted out front, but it's way too small for anyone to be interested in stealing it just yet. 

I DO worry about my two pots of Ixora 'Maui' flanking my post box disappearing one day, but (knock on wood) they have survived 4 months so far without "walking".  

For some reason (not based on any real life experience) I imagined that this sort of thing just doesn't happen in the US as people are more spaced out and footfall is less because everybody drives ...?

Nollie

The B*stards, sorry for your loss. Where I come from, large weighted pots, ideally cemented into the ground and chained to the wall are essential.

PeggyTX

jamesharcourt said:

Peggy in Texas said:

That's just awful.  Such slow-growing trees that represent so much time and effort in one the size of yours.  I have one potted out front, but it's way too small for anyone to be interested in stealing it just yet. 

I DO worry about my two pots of Ixora 'Maui' flanking my post box disappearing one day, but (knock on wood) they have survived 4 months so far without "walking".  

For some reason (not based on any real life experience) I imagined that this sort of thing just doesn't happen in the US as people are more spaced out and footfall is less because everybody drives ...?

Actually, it happens a lot in the U.S., James, as well as package deliveries being stolen.  There are crooks that drive around neighborhoods and a passenger quickly gets out to run up to steal potted plants or packages right off your veranda!  They operate out of cars when most people are at work to reduce likelihood of being seen and make a fast get away.  Many who have those cameras installed on their homes air videos of the thefts (and the thieves' methods) on the internet.  Makes me so angry. 

Topbird

Is there a car boot sale near you this weekend? Stolen plants, pots, garden furniture etc often find their way to them.

Some people are such sh*ts aren't they?

BenCotto

Perhaps replace the tree with one of these

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/exnasa-engineer-who-had-package-stolen-from-his-porch-spends-six-months-building-glitter-bomb-a4021051.html

Fairygirl

I'm so sorry @jamesharcourt. Some folk are effing despicable. I'm being very polite there.

Apparently, it's more common that people think - especially bigger specimens in big pots, although you'd think that would deter them. There was a talk about it on one of the radio shows a few years ago, and it was quite unbelievable. They come equipped and ready for the job. 
Worth checking local events,  as @Topbird says, but I'm not sure how you would prove anything. 
Cameras are also worth checking, but to be honest, unless you get a car reg, and good pix, it's a waste of time. Police don't seem to be interested either unless you're being murdered in your bed. They hardly bother when luxury cars are stolen, let alone anything else 
Sorry - that was a bit negative.