Live oak trees are protected here in Beaufort County, but that didn’t stop someone from cutting and damaging a live oak tree in downtown Beaufort, on the bluff atop of Bay Street.
The city of Beaufort posted about it on its Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon with a note from City Manager Bill Prokop.
Prokop said in the posting that the healthy, protected oak tree was cut about 80% through with a chainsaw.
City public works staff removed the tree completely on Wednesday.
“The City is investigating, and will bring charges against the person or persons who did this. We all value the natural beauty of our City too much to have it ruined by vandals,” Prokop added in the post.
See the post here, and continue reading below.
According to the Coastal Conservation League, trees are both an environmental and economic resource, contributing to Beaufort’s sense of place. They help buffer incompatible land uses, absorb heat, reduce soil erosion and stormwater runoff, contribute to wildlife habitat and diversity, and preserve an identity for Beaufort County.
Live oak trees are protected by ordinance.
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