Man charged with uprooting trees in Tredyffrin park

A 20-year-old man in a drug-induced rage knocked over 96 young trees last month after becoming upset that they had been planted in a park he often visited, according to Tredyffrin Township police.

"He was angry over the placement of those shrubberies at a place where he usually had more access. It bothered him," Sgt. Todd Bereda said. "And we're not talking about large trees."

Police say Nathaniel Lent of Berwyn broke, uprooted, and pushed over the trees on the evening of Oct. 17 or the following morning at Wilson Farm Park.

Lent was charged Wednesday with agricultural vandalism, a third-degree felony. Bereda said Lent told investigators he had taken Xanax and consumed alcohol on the night of the crime.

The trees had recently been planted by volunteers with the Tredyffrin Township Environmental Council. The group has since replanted many of the trees, though some had to be replaced.

The damage totaled about $6,000, though Bereda said the amount might increase if some of the replanted trees die from being uprooted.

Lent has been arraigned and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 6.