Ancient juniper trees illegally cut in New Mexico monument

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Several dozen ancient alligator juniper trees have been illegally cut down at El Malpais National Monument in western New Mexico and authorities with the National Park Service are trying to find out who’s responsible.

Known for their unique furrowed bark, alligator junipers grow very slowly. A seed can take up to 18 months to mature after pollination and the growth rate for young trees is about 0.6 inches (1.5 centimeters) per decade, slowing as they get older.

Officials said the trees that were cut down were likely hundreds of years old.

Lisa Dittman, a spokeswoman for the national monument, said Tuesday that officials don’t know why the trees are being targeted or what they’re being used for. Rural New Mexico residents frequently cut wood in the fall to help with winter heating needs, but cutting trees at El Malpais is illegal.



This undated image provided by the National Park Service shows the illegal harvest of alligator juniper trees at El Malpais National Monument near Grants, New Mexico. Park Service officials are asking the public for help to stop the illegal harvesting of the trees, which are considered rare due to their slow growth rate. (National Park Service via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-travel-environment-and-nature-new-mexico-trees-b0b25091195fc7a657dd2b45542f4d15

[elleng]

1. WOW!

There are lots of junipers around my house, but none 'alligator,' I think; will look.

[Wingus Dingus]

3. Sad--hundreds of years old.

[alittlelark]

4. Drove thru the Jicarilla on 528 yesterday

Just so happened to stop for dog relief near a large stand of Alligator Juniper. Beautiful trees. I also noticed that none of the Pinons in the area had produced seed.

[Kali]

5. I wonder if somebody's GPS has bad info

Alligator juniper is legal to harvest elsewhere. Not rare or endangered.

[abqtommy]

6. Dammit! I've driven through that area many times. I sure hope they catch

whoever did this and lock them up for good!

[captain queeg]

7. There's different kinds of junipers. There was a national monument near where I used to work

With junipers. Those were quite small and I guess some were 1000 years old. I’d heard they don’t make hood firewood, but I’ve never seen it burned or knew someone who had done so.

[alittlelark]

13. Almost half my firewood is Juniper - better than most Pine

but not great. I use is during the day and save the oak and fruitwood for night.

[certainot]

17. crap. i'm about to order some wood in NM. i could try to specify..... what are the chances....

[alittlelark]

22. My wood is cut by myself and house members.

That is what is available in this area..... I have gotten cords here that were spot on i quality.

I wouldn't worry.

[certainot]

25. I will order tomorrow! and I will ask just to spike some concern

[Mysterian]

8. I hope they catch the sons of bitches

and throw away the key.

[maxsolomon]

19. think more like a small fine.

most likely they cut it for firewood because they're ignorant.

[Evolve Dammit]

9. As my world-traveled uncle once said: "people are no damn good."

[Nictuku]

10. Mother F-ers!

That is all.

[ancianita]

11. This is what we get for underfunding our national park services, leaving parks exposed to predators.

Market values of "take first, apologize later" have strangled old moral values.
Any mindless knuckle dragger with a chainsaw can chop away, knowing they won't be seen or caught.
Will that area now be cordoned off;
Will it get park surveillance;
Will there be cameras installed around old forest park borders; Or...
Will American wild forests be set afire by stochastic terrorists 'til our wild lands collapse in a smoldering heap.

[burrowowl]

12. Really sad!

[Torchlight]

15. I guess the best I can hope for is it was done out of ignorance rather than malice

I think that's most often the case. Or maybe it's just hope on my part.

[bronxiteforever]

16. Kick and recommend for visibility.

[Bayard]

18. They grow half an inch in 10 years

And no doubt burned up in a matter of minutes. Way, way too many people have absolutely no respect for nature.

[Duppers]

21. Amen. No respect. nt

[GusBob]

20. From the picture here

It looks like that spot has been cut before

There are fresh cut stumps on the left and foreground you can still see the sawdust

The stumps in the upper right are old, like 2-3 years old faded cuts, unless they were cut for fire or disease control.

Firewooders this time of year, unless that wood is good for woodcarvers?

Put up trail cams and signs saying there are trail cams. That will catch them or put an end to it

[ripcord]

23. We have a problem with people cutting down Joshua trees

There is an ordinance that forbids cutting them down, my new neighbor bulldozed a bunch to put in a house, "someone" reported him and he got a large fine.

[pansypoo53219]

24. life. i want life, no parole.