Lake Tahoe Beach Trees Deliberately Poisoned, Officials Say

Authorities in Nevada are investigating a string of deliberate tree poisonings along Lake Tahoe, where officials say 28 pine trees have been damaged across three separate incidents at a beach property.

According to a Washoe County news release, 16 trees were affected this year, while six were damaged in 2022 and another six in 2024. Officials estimate the total loss at roughly $300,000.

The most recent discovery came Sunday at Burnt Cedar Beach in Incline Village, Nevada, where Washoe County Sheriff’s deputies found a strong-smelling substance believed to be tree poison around the bases of several trees, county officials said.

Authorities had responded on July 24 to a report of a powerful odor coming from the base of a large pine tree, a smell officials said was consistent with earlier tree poisoning incidents on the same property.

“The deliberate destruction of these trees is deeply troubling and represents a significant loss for the entire community,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said. “We are taking these repeated incidents seriously and asking anyone with information to come forward so the person responsible can be identified and held accountable.”

Investigators have taken soil samples in an effort to identify the substance used to poison the trees and determine whether the same material was involved in each of the reported incidents, the release said.

Officials believe the latest poisoning happened sometime between 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, and 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. Investigators noted that trail cameras captured a brief light at about 2 a.m. Sunday, and they are continuing to review video evidence from the area.

Burnt Cedar Beach is a restricted-access Lake Tahoe beach available only to eligible Incline Village residents and their guests. 

The person or persons responsible could face felony-level charges based on the extent of the damages, officials said.

Anyone who has information that may assist investigators is encouraged to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.

Secret Witness added a $1,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons involved.