Kent Police, city prosecutor investigate illegal topping of large trees on West Hill

A Kent city prosecutor and Kent Police are investigating the recent illegal topping of more than two dozen large trees on about 6 acres of city property on the West Hill.

The property is near Reith Road in the area of South 253rd Street and 42nd Avenue South.

Tami Perdue, the city’s chief prosecutor, will oversee the investigation. A witness first reported the topped trees to Kent Police. The trees were cut over the last two weeks reportedly in an effort by nearby property owners to improve views of the Green River Valley and Mount Rainier.

“About 34 trees were topped or damaged on city property on a steep slope off to the west side of Reith Road,” Perdue said.

Perdue expects the investigation to wrap up by the end of next week with specifics about code violations or even criminal charges.

“It could be a number of different violations,” Perdue said. “There also is the potential for criminal charges from malicious mischief to interfering with the property of another.”

Nearby property owners reportedly hired a tree-cutting service to do the work.

“We believe more than one set of persons (to be involved),” Perdue said.

Police, city code enforcement officers and a city arborist are involved in the investigation. City staff did not issue any permits to cut the trees.

“The arborist will access damage to the trees,” Perdue said. “The topping of trees also can damage other trees.”

The topped trees were primarily Douglas fir, but also included western red cedars, red alders, big-leaf maples and cottonwoods that were cut or damaged. The trees were an estimated 90 to 120 feet tall and are anywhere from 40 to 60 years old.

The city owns the property for road right of way as well as part of an open space corridor.

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