Police investigate Sandbanks tree deaths

Police are investigating the killing of five 80-year-old Corsican and Scots pines on one of Europe's most expensive pieces of real estate. It is the latest in a series of incidents in Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset, where landowners are often keen to remove trees to create more space or clear sea views. In this case the trees were ringbarked – a strip of bark was removed close to the base and herbicide was scattered around the foot of some of the trees. A council spokesman said: "These five trees have been carefully targeted and executed." They are on a plot owned by developer Barrington Homes. It said it was "appalled" at the attack. "The environmental impact is of great concern and the barbaric use of the 'ringing' method is a crude and despicable act."