Wealthy Lake Tahoe community up in arms over tree poisoner who keeps killing majestic lakeside pines

Published: 21:08, 6 August 2026 | Updated: 21:14, 6 August 2026 Residents of an exclusive Lake Tahoe community are searching for answers after someone poisoned 16 mature pine trees in the latest attack in a years-long series of vandalism incidents that have damaged nearly 30 trees and caused more than $300,000 in losses. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is investigating after employees with the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) discovered the apparent poisoning at Burnt Cedar Beach in Incline Village, Nevada, on Sunday.  Authorities believe the trees were poisoned sometime between 11.30am on August 1 and 5am on August 2. It marked the third reported tree poisoning this year and the fifth since 2022, according to SFGATE. Workers contacted deputies after noticing a strong chemical odor coming from a stand of trees near the east end of the private beach.  Investigators determined multiple trees had been deliberately poisoned, though they have not identified the substance used. A trail camera captured a brief flash of light near the area at about 2am, but investigators said they have not identified a suspect or determined a motive. Deputies are canvassing the neighborhood for additional surveillance footage. 'The deliberate destruction of these trees is deeply troubling and represents a significant loss for the entire community,' Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said in a statement. Authorities are investigating after 16 mature pine trees were found poisoned at Burnt Cedar Beach in Incline Village, Nevada, marking the third such incident this year The latest attack occurred at Burnt Cedar Beach, one of several private beaches reserved for Incline Village property owners 'We are taking these repeated incidents seriously and asking anyone with information to come forward so the person responsible can be identified and held accountable.' Speaking during a Tuesday news conference, Incline Village Substation Captain Joseph Colacurcio said investigators have documented a similar pattern for several years. 'In 2022, about the similar time range, they had six trees that were affected,' Colacurcio said. 'Same within 2024, they had another six trees. Currently, they have 16 right now, so we're looking at about approximately 28 trees that have been affected over the time.' He estimated the damage now exceeds $300,000, adding that the mature lakeside pines are 'almost irreplaceable.' Authorities have not released what chemical was used because laboratory testing is ongoing. Colacurcio said previous investigations also failed to identify a suspect. 'There could be tons of motives,' he said, adding that anyone responsible could face significant criminal charges under Nevada law. Burnt Cedar Beach is one of several private beaches reserved for Incline Village property owners.  Officials estimate the repeated poisonings have caused more than $300,000 in damage, with many of the mature lakeside pines considered nearly irreplaceable Investigators believe the trees were poisoned sometime between August 1 and August 2 using an unidentified substance The beaches have long been the subject of legal disputes over public access, though officials stressed there is no evidence linking that controversy to the poisonings. IVGID spokesman Paul Raymore said all three incidents this year occurred in the same general area. 'It seems to be a pattern,' Raymore told SFGATE. 'Those other tree poisonings are in the same zone.' The poisonings have already devastated the shoreline. Raymore said all six trees poisoned in 2022 died, while five of the six poisoned in 2024 also died, raising concerns that many of the newly affected trees may not survive. The beach remains open while arborists and environmental specialists work to save the trees and remove contaminated soil.  The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is also conducting an environmental investigation alongside the sheriff's criminal probe.