Cowlitz County: Annual Japanese maple heists begin

LONGVIEW — It’s spring in Cowlitz County and once again the Japanese maple trees are disappearing.

Last year, thieves began hauling off potted and in-ground Japanese maples a few weeks before Mother’s Day and kept at it into the summer. The Daily News said Longview police and other law enforcement agencies began taking similar reports two weeks ago.

Leah Berg of Longview lost her 2-year-old tree from her front yard last week. She said the tree was 51/2 feet tall, in a big planter and would have required two people to lift it. She estimated it was worth about $300.

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Information from: The Daily News, www.tdn.com

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