Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
An unusual tree was recently stolen from the collection at Spiegel Grove, an accredited arboretum and the grounds of the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont.
Theft of the tiny bristlecone pine is a crime, and Hayes Presidential staff have reported the incident to Fremont police. The tree was stolen around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 15. Spiegel Grove is closed from dusk until dawn, so the culprit was also trespassing.
The pine was the only one of its kind at The Grove, which is a level II arboretum accredited by Arbnet, and part of its collection of more than 1,700 trees. A level II arboretum has more than 100 species of trees and woody plants.
Trees are cataloged and part of a collection that is strategically planted at the historic property.
Bristlecone pines are among the oldest-known living things on Earth, and some of them can live 4,000 to 5,000 years. The one taken from Spiegel Grove was a seedling planted in 2021 for Arbor Day.
During the holidays, the building and grounds crew would decorate it with a single red bulb, creating a “Charlie Brown Tree” effect. The bristlecone pine was located by the front parking lot and surrounded by rocks to keep people from disturbing it.
It appears the culprit pulled it out of the grounds and took it with them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fremont Police Department at 419-332-6464 or Hayes Presidential Building & Grounds Superintendent John Havens at 419-332-2081.
