Trees cut down: Misunderstanding or theft?

VICKSBURG Mich. (Newschannel 3) - Police in Vicksburg are investigating a possible case of tree theft.

On Wednesday, police found a huge semi-trailer filled with freshly cut wood, after someone cleared out dozens of towering trees from a private property on East V Ave. Near Mud Lake.

Tom Scott, the he owner of the land says he arrived at his weekend home Wednesday, and found what he suspects to be a questionable tree company chopping down and loading up his walnut and cherry trees.

One truck was already fully loaded, and Scott says the loggers were actually preparing to load a second truck.

One of Scott's neighbors says he contracted with a company to remove trees from his property, but the man he signed up with, someone named Denny Dryer, couldn't be reached for comment.

Only two trees were taken from the neighbor's land, while Scott lost at least 35 trees.

"I am a big person on private property rights and I was very surprised," said Scott. "You can't stand them up again, can you?"

Scott says he has recently read about tree thefts, but certainly didn't expect it would happen to him.

"It's just sort of the sign of the times right now in Michigan of everyone trying too hard," he said. "Was there intent? I can't say that, we'd like to think good about everybody."

Scott says the drivers of the logging trucks eventually admitted to taking the trees, and said their plan was to go with them to Bay City, MI, to a Maple Ridge Logging operation. And while he admits it could all be a misunderstanding, Scott says he isn't willing to discount the possibility of theft.

The semi trucks carrying the wood have been impounded, but no arrests have been made.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating the situation.