Vandalism at Karlstad School: Trees Worth 400,000 SEK Felled

Someone took a saw to the trees. Now, up to 20 trees at the schoolyard in Karlstad, valued at nearly half a million kronor, are gone.

Between August 22 and 24, 15 to 20 trees were cut down at Skåreskolan's schoolyard in Karlstad, as previously reported by Värmlands Folkblad. The area has been turned into a pile of brushwood.

The school's principal, Rune Jakobsson, discovered the situation when students began playing in the piles of branches.

– At first, I thought it was the municipality that had felled the trees. But when no one removed them, I filed a complaint, he says.

Valued at 400,000 SEK – At Least

Upon the complaint, the municipality discovered what had happened. The damages are preliminarily estimated at 400,000 kronor, but an arborist will now assess the cost.

– That cost might increase, says Tomas Karlsson, property manager at Karlstad municipality.

The extent of the vandalism is unique, he says.

– It's nothing I've experienced during my years as a manager. It involves 15-20 trees, at least.

Exactly how it happened is unclear.

– It seems a bit hastily done, says Tomas Karlsson.

The trees were significant for the area, according to him. They provided shade, acted as a privacy screen, dampened noise, and contributed to biodiversity.

– How we will 'replace' these trees, we'll see. It's not just about planting 20 new trees. A significant wound has been created.

Police Seek Witnesses

The police classify the case as severe vandalism.

– These are clearly trees that have been deliberately cut down. It's not like they fell on their own or were blown over, says Lars Hedelin, spokesperson for the Bergslagen police region.

A witness has already been interviewed. The police are hopeful that more will come forward.

– This happened in fairly open terrain, says Lars Hedelin.