Stealing Royal Paulownia trees used to be a thing people got arrested for in Fairmount Park

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With large flowers that come in varying shades, the Paulownia tomentosa is not native to the Eastern United States, but it grows all over the place.

Also known as a foxglove or royal empress tree, the species is originally from China. In that nation, its hardwood is prized — to the point where the sale price is high enough to incentivize theft.

Here’s the story of how often it happened in Fairmount Park.

This week's "Headline of Yore" comes from today's Daily News in 1983. And it reads:

"Saw-icide: Who's Stealing Those Great Trees from Fairmount Park?"

Alright, folks. Buckle up. We are diving into the surprisingly robust history of tree theft in Philly
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

This is a Royal Paulownia or "Empress Tree."

It's an invasive species in Philly. In 1990, a horticulturist described it to the Inquirer as "quite a beautiful weed."

But in Japan, its wood is sought after. There was once a robust black market for it. pic.twitter.com/1mcYI59Ilh
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

That's why people started sneaking into Fairmount Park and illegally hacking the trees down. A single tree could reportedly fetch thousands

In 1983, a bumbling pair of thieves made news after they crashed a truck with a stolen tree into the fence outside radio station WDAS pic.twitter.com/XUXI3Z5Xzu
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

Over the next decade…there would be *repeated* reports of people stealing or attempting to steal Royal Paulownias.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

In 1984, Neil O'Leary, owner of a local tree care business, is caught chopping down an Empress Tree growing on conserved land in Paoli… pic.twitter.com/Lzq8nBjE04
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

1987…a "young woman" tricks an incinerator operator in NW Philly. Says she needs to use the access road behind his property so she can gather wood and give it to an elderly NJ man who uses it to carve wooden ducks.

Instead she chops down three Royal Paulownias… pic.twitter.com/aiZCwhj6TK
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

1990…the "tree rustlers" are back! pic.twitter.com/0Ijz1nRsLy
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

1991…one of the wildest cases of all…

A father and daughter *from Maryland* are arrested in Chestnut Hill after a "stakeout" by local police. pic.twitter.com/VSV8xbXjp6
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

So I asked the good folks at the Fairmount Park Conservancy (@myphillypark):

Are people still stealing Royal Paulownias?

Short answer: Not that they're aware.

BUT…
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

Apparently there are still cases of people sneaking into Fairmount Park and stealing landscaping materials, fruit, and edible plants.

The head of the FPC suspects some people sell stolen fruit to restaurants.

There are even whispers of "rogue" Xmas tree harvests.
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

But the current "crisis," according to the FPC, is "short-dumping."

That's when people illegally dump waste on park lands to avoid paying fees at municipal dump sites.https://t.co/lQQeAEzI1f
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021

In conclusion…

Philly has a long history of tree and plant theft. You shouldn't do it. You may get arrested after a "stakeout."

And also…Philly…stop dumping your crap in Fairmount Park.

Ok?
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) May 20, 2021