OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha man has been arrested, accused of poisoning four giant city-owned cottonwood trees near his home.
Court records say 44-year-old Donald Grenawalt is charged with felony criminal mischief. His attorney didn't immediately return a call Tuesday from The Associated Press.
Omaha station KETV reports that four or five holes had been drilled into each tree trunk, and officials suspect poison was poured into the holes. The city has estimated the cost to remove each dying tree and plant a new one at $3,000 to $5,000.
Court records say Grenawalt told a city employee who knew him that he'd attacked the trees because he was sick of them. The documents say investigators found drills and bits at Grenawalt's home and chemicals that could have been poured into the trees.
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