A Seven-Day Assault on Urban Greenery (Image Credits: Ca-times.brightspotcdn.com)
Los Angeles — A 45-year-old local man landed a two-year county jail term Wednesday after admitting responsibility for chain-sawing 12 mature street trees and damaging a 13th during a seven-day outburst in spring 2025.[1][2]
A Seven-Day Assault on Urban Greenery
Samuel Patrick Groft targeted trees across multiple neighborhoods in a spree that began April 13, 2025. Prosecutors detailed how he wielded a chainsaw, often while dressed in black and biking through the areas with his tools in a backpack and duffel bag. The acts spanned broad daylight on busy sidewalks and late-night operations on quiet streets.[1]
Authorities linked him to specific incidents through surveillance footage and evidence. LAPD detectives cataloged several key events:
- April 17, around midnight, 500 block of North Broadway in the Central Area.
- April 18, 3:40 p.m., 1500 block of West 8th Street in the Rampart Area.
- April 19, 1:20 a.m., 350 block of South Grand Avenue in the Central Area.
- April 22, 2 p.m., 300 block of Treadwell Street in the Northeast Area.
Locations included downtown Los Angeles, Westlake District, and Glassell Park. The destruction affected city- and privately owned trees, some decades old.[3]
Arrest Followed Quick Police Work
Officers arrested Groft on April 22, 2025—Earth Day—near Custer Avenue and West Sunset Boulevard. Detectives traced him via a chainsaw purchase receipt tied to his name, obtained moments before he severed a large branch on North Figueroa Street. He resided in Los Angeles but had been living on the streets, including an encampment in Chinatown at the time.[1][3]
During the arrest, Groft expressed surprise at the timing and professed an affinity for trees. Los Angeles Police Department Det. Jose Hidalgo testified that Groft declared, “I love trees, I love bark, I’m an arborist.” The comment fueled questions about his motivations, which remain unclear.[1]
Court Battle Ends in Plea Deal
Groft faced initial charges of eight felony vandalism counts from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, later expanded. He carried prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, and vandalism. Defense attorneys raised mental competency concerns in November 2025 and noted possible substance use issues, but a judge ruled him fit to stand trial after evaluation.[4][1]
On February 11, 2026, just before trial, Groft pleaded no contest to nine felony vandalism counts and two misdemeanors in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Judge imposed the two-year sentence, with a restitution hearing set for April. Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Valenzuela, from the environmental crimes division, handled prosecution.[2]
Heavy Toll on City Landscaping
Damages reached approximately $347,000, covering cleanup, removal, and replacements under the city’s 2-to-1 replanting policy. Testimony highlighted costs nearing $175,000 for just three trees. Bureau of Street Services spokesperson Dan Halden confirmed replanting efforts started in May 2025.[4][1]
The spree shocked residents and officials, who viewed the mature trees as vital to urban livability. Mayor’s office spokesperson Zach Seidl called it “truly beyond comprehension” at the time.[2]
Key Takeaways
- Groft chain-sawed 12 trees and damaged one more over seven days in 2025.
- Sentence: Two years in jail plus restitution exceeding $300,000.
- Motive unknown; mental health factors noted but not pursued in court.
This case underscores the vulnerability of public green spaces and the steep penalties for their destruction. As Los Angeles continues replanting, the episode serves as a stark reminder of unchecked impulses in city life. What do you think drove this rampage? Tell us in the comments.
