This valuable tree was chopped down in a botanical garden in Yunnan province. [Photo/Sina Weibo] |
Valuable trees stolen from SW China's botanical garden
Staff at a botanical garden in Southwest China's Yunnan province are furious after thieves tried to steal two valuable trees for their timber, Netease.com reported on Monday.
A 51-year-old fragrant rosewood tree in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden was chopped down and smuggled out by boat on Saturday morning, while another larger tree at the site was seriously damaged with a chainsaw.
According to the report, the trees are sought to produce high-quality furniture and are worth millions of yuan each.
Police are investigating the theft.