Massive Reward Offered in Lake Tahoe Tree Poisoning Case

An unprecedented $147,000 reward is now available in the affluent Incline Village community of Lake Tahoe to help identify a suspect responsible for systematically poisoning 28 trees at Burnt Cedar Beach. The incidents, which have been occurring since 2022, have caused significant damage and financial loss.

The most recent spate of poisonings occurred this year, with four trees affected in May, two in July, and an additional ten discovered in August. The perpetrators drilled dozens of holes into the tree trunks, angling them to facilitate the introduction of substances, with diesel fuel being a suspected agent in some cases. Investigators have noted that this method makes the poisoning difficult to counteract.

In total, 72 holes were drilled across the 28 trees. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office reported that six trees were damaged in 2022, six in 2024, and 16 more in the current year, leading to an estimated loss of $300,000. Three of the 16 trees targeted this summer are already showing severe signs of distress and are expected to die.

The reward is a joint effort by private donors within the Friends of Burnt Cedar Beach group, who contributed $122,000, and an additional $25,000 from the Incline Village General Improvement District. This community, known for its high net worth residents, including figures like Larry Ellison and Mark Zuckerberg, is seeking swift resolution to the vandalism.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward to help apprehend the individual or individuals responsible for the destruction of these natural assets.