Vandals damage community Christmas tree at Keizer's Walery Plaza

Vandals damaged the 96-foot tree at Walery Plaza that’s known as Keizer’s Christmas tree, apparently sometime over the weekend.

Cut-off limbs were found scattered across the ground on Monday, March 30, and it appeared that some cut branches had been jammed across other branches in the tree as sort of a fort. The vandals appear to have scaled the tree a few feet off the ground.

They accessed the tree by breaking a portion of the metal fence surrounding it, and left behind beer bottles and a broken saw.

Dave Walery, who planted the tree over 30 years ago, discovered the damage while driving along River Road on Monday. He said it’s unclear exactly when the vandals struck or what the cost will be for repairs.

Walery, the namesake for the plaza at Northeast Greenwood Drive and River Road, said he last stopped by the location on Friday, and there was no damage at that time.

Lt. Trevor Wenning confirmed that the Keizer Police Department received a report of the incident from Walery on Monday.

Walery said R & R Tree Service is expected to assess the damage on Thursday. G & S Machine Shop, the business that built the fence, is helping repair it, he said.

Walery said he helped fund and build the fence, which was installed three or four years ago to help keep the area clean. He cited an instance when people were sleeping underneath the tree and had a fire.

Walery said the tree is a symbol of Christmas time for local residents. The annual tree lighting ceremony organized by Keizer Chamber of Commerce volunteers is beloved by Keizer’s kids, two of whom are chosen each year to help Santa flip the switch for the lights.

“It’s just been here for such a long time,” Walery said. “Not very many cities have their own Christmas tree.”

Vandals appear to have laid cut branches across other branches in the tree at Walery Plaza, pictured Monday, March 30. It is unclear when the vandalism occurred. (KRISTA KROISS/Keizertimes)

Branches cover the ground next to the tree at Walery Plaza, pictured Monday, March 30. The branches were cut by unknown people who broke through the fence surrounding the tree. (KRISTA KROISS/Keizertimes)

A portion of the fence surrounding the tree at Walery Plaza was removed by people who vandalized the tree, pictured Monday, March 30. It is unknown who committed the act. (KRISTA KROISS/Keizertimes)

Beer bottles were scattered across the ground near the tree at Walery Plaza on Monday, March 30, after unknown persons vandalized the tree. It is unclear when the act occurred. (KRISTA KROISS/Keizertimes)

A beer bottle and saw lie on the ground near the tree at Walery Plaza on Monday, March 30. They were left by unknown persons who vandalized the tree. (KRISTA KROISS/Keizertimes)

A cut-off tree branch and beer bottle lie on the ground near the tree at Walery Plaza on Monday, March 30. It is unknown who caused the damage. (KRISTA KROISS/Keizertimes)

NEWS TIP? Contact reporter Krista Kroiss at [email protected].

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