Vandals Felling Cedar Trees by Moonlight Then Just Leaving Them Caught on Camera

A California town has experienced a rash of unusual vandalism. What's being damaged? Cedar trees.

According to KCRA, vandals have been felling trees in El Dorado County for months. But now a surveillance video by a Placerville homeowner has caught them in the act.

“If you saw the video, they don’t have a flashlight,” Deitz told KCRA 3. “They did it by moonlight."

(Image: KCRA/YouTube screenshot)

Watch KCRA's report with footage of the vandals:

Five of Deitz's own trees were destroyed late last week, but others were brought down in February as well. It costs several thousands dollars to replace the trees.

In December, KCRA reported that 23 cedar trees in the area had been cut down illegally.

(Image: KCRA/YouTube screenshot)

Lt. Tim Becker with the the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office called the case "unique" because for some reason the vandals don't take the trees.

"...they just cut it down and leave it laying," Becker said.

Deitz said he plans on continuing to replant the trees he is losing "until I run out of strength to plant them, or money to buy them."