May 16, 2016

Select apple trees stolen from Ohio farms

Roughly 150 apple trees have been stolen from two orchards in Berlin Heights, Ohio.

Approximately 100 trees of Gala, Evercrisp and Firestorm Honeycrisp varieties were stolen from Quarry Hill Orchards, and about 50 trees of Firestorm Honeycrisp were stolen from Malone Orchards.

A third orchard, Geig’s Orchard, reported a similar theft.

Here’s more from the Sandusky Register:

“These are definitely coveted, signature additions to any orchard – Some varieties really took a lot of effort to get to the farm and put in the ground,” Ben Gammie of Quarry Hill Orchards said. “Apple trees these days are in short supply, especially the varieties we had.”

Those involved realized the same tree-trimming crew serviced all three orchards where the thefts occurred.

Erie County deputies are now looking into how, or if, that business or its employees are involved in any way. In the meantime, the case remains under investigation.