Mystery surrounds maple burls being taken from private property owned by Chilliwack resident

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“Unfortunately, this is an all too common occurrence in our area. It is illegal to enter private property for the purposes of cutting maple burls and anyone caught engaged in these practices can face charges under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Forest and Range Practices Act,” said Sgt. Sargent.

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The Chilliwack-area resident who reported this to the Agassiz RCMP expressed an interest in remaining anonymous for fear of retaliation.

“The pictures of the slashed trees look like they have been done recently,” the Chilliwack-area resident said. “That is what makes me think they are coming back. Thieves are taking burls off trees; removing burls will kill trees or cut life expectance down drastically.”

Thieves are also taking curly maple, which only exists in some trees and is approximately seven feet from the base.

Image: Supplied by anonymous Chilliwack-area resident / A Chilliwack-area resident took pictures of this illegal tree harvesting happening on property that this resident owns in the Harrison Lake area. The illegal tree harvesting has been reported to the Agassiz RCMP.

“The entire tree is cut to harvest the 7’ base,” the resident said. “Thieves are accessing private land and Crown land all along shorelines, by boat. Thieves are using a boat to haul out lumber. Fresh-cut curly maple and burls are incredibly heavy to haul out on boats. They are going out on cold wet days to avoid detection. They cover stumps with moss and debris to avoid detection and continue their work.”

The resident reports that crooks are walking along shorelines with axes chipping off the bark on all maple trees as a method of detecting curly maple.

“Chipping off bark creates a point for the tree to start rotting,” the resident said. “Essentially, this kills trees that provide for bird and fish habitat.”

This same concerned citizen noticed all maple trees along their property, and neighboring properties have been slashed by thieves, some with fresh cuts.

“Thieves harvested multiple trees last April in this area, and are continuing to slash trees recently looking for curly maple,” the resident said. “Thieves are obviously planning another harvest.”

Some cabin owners who live full-time on Harrison Lake and Harrison River are now aware of tree-poaching and are keeping a watchful eye out for anything suspicious, the resident said.

“Luckily chainsaws are loud and can be heard at great distances across the water, thereby alerting residents to unlawful cutting,” the resident said. “This is a serious federal offense. That could result in a 3-year jail term and up to a $1 million fine. The community pulling together and being aware can really help put a stop to this crime.”

The B.C. Wildlife Federation pays rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to a conviction.

The resident suggests the culprits are likely people who are incredibly experienced at logging; have large chainsaws and tools to drop huge trees and cut to salable pieces; are ambitious and hard-working; most likely a local individual that has knowledge of the area; owns or has access to a boat; most likely unloads lumber at private boat launches or areas to avoid detection; and sells specialty wood.

The Agassiz RCMP urge anyone with information regarding this investigation or similar incidents to call police at 604-796-2211, or should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).