Poisoning of 28 trees at Tahoe’s Burnt Cedar Beach under investigation by Washoe County Sheriff’s Office

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – An investigation is underway into the intentional poisoning of trees at Burnt Cedar Beach in Incline Village, Nev. So far, a total of 28 trees have been affected over three incidents on the same beach since 2022. Investigators with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office believe the cases are all connected.

Six trees were damaged in 2022, another six in 2024, and 16 more were discovered this year, resulting in an estimated $300,000 loss. The affected trees are currently being identified as pine trees.

The substance used to poison the trees has not yet been identified. Soil samples have been collected and submitted for testing to help determine what substance was used and whether the same substance was involved in each incident. Investigators have also confirmed that holes were not drilled near the roots in every case.

Based on the estimated amount of damage, the person or persons responsible could face felony-level charges.

“We take these crimes very seriously and will utilize every available resource to identify and apprehend the person or persons responsible,” said Sheriff Darin Balaam. “The destruction of mature trees in the Tahoe Basin and the environmental damage caused by these deliberate acts are unacceptable. We ask anyone with information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and provide that information to investigators.”

In 2019 in South Lake Tahoe, nine 20-year-old pine trees were vandalized at Regan Beach. In that case, no poison appeared to be used, but the girdling method was used to kill them. This is the process of removing a complete ring of bark and the inner cambium layer all the way around the trunk. Doing this stops food from flowing to the roots, thus killing them over time as they are standing. The City of South Lake Tahoe removed the nine dead trees.

Anyone with information on the Burndt Cedar case is asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office at (775) 328-3001 and reference case number 26-4225.

Secret Witness has added a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the individual(s) involved. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Secret Witness by calling (775) 322-4900 or visiting www.secretwitness.com.

Photos from Washoe County Sheriff’s Offfice: