Authorities Looking for Those Who Cut Down Ancient Trees at New Mexico Monument

The National Park Service authorities are trying to find those responsible for illegally cutting down several dozen ancient alligator juniper trees in the El Malpais National Monument in western New Mexico. Alligator juniper trees grow extremely slowly. It can take up to 18 months for a seed to mature after pollination, while young trees grow about 0.6 inches per decade.

Park law enforcement is monitoring the area and over the past year have reported additional trees cut down, with the latest incident happening in October. The harvesting of these trees impacts the monument's biodiversity, setting up the area for decades of recovery after the loss.

Authorities Looking for Those Who Illegally Cut Down Ancient Trees at New Mexico Monument (msn.com)

 

How old were the trees ?

 

The article said they were likely hundreds of years old but can live up to 500 years. What a shame, I sure hope they catch the low-lives who did this.

 

Older than dirt?

 

I've fell timber that had been standing for most of 1500 years is why I ask.

 

Looking at the picture, I find this story a little hard to believe

 

What is not to believe about the picture? This story is quoted by numerous reputable news sources.

 

It looks to me like it's really cleaned up around the cut trees, but brush and other limbs are there? But I'm no expert. Just looks strange to me