The celebrated tree project on Holman Avenue in Covington is the victim of vandalism.

This story has been updated to include a comment from the Covington Police Department and Mayor Sherry Carran

Neighbors awoke Thursday to find at least 17 newly planted street trees cut to the ground.

Holman Avenue's trees have been a focus of the City of Covington's urban forestry staff. Mature Bradford pear trees, considered by staff to be invasive, were removed in 2014, and then 100 volunteers joined in to plant new trees along the street that year. The effort helped the urban forestry department win an award from the state.

In 2015, neighbors joined together to plant more trees on Holman, and the Westside Action Coalition was awarded a nearly $2,000 grant from the Center for Great Neighborhoods to plant 20 more.

The newest trees were the ones targeted by vandalism.

“I was very disappointed to hear the report this morning that the new trees along Holman Avenue were destroyed overnight," said Carran. "I am sad for the volunteers, community members, city staff, and all others who donated their time, energy, or other resources to this wonderful project. I hope that if the person or persons involved in this act of vandalism are found, they are asked to not only replace the trees but also to stand before all those involved with this project and apologize.

“Vandalism and other mean-spirited acts are impossible to predict in most cases and difficult to prevent. It’s upsetting, but we have to keep moving forward. I’m confident our police department will track down those involved and our community will come together to right this wrong. I hope the destruction of these trees does not deter those in our community working so hard to make a difference.”

Neighborhood leader Mark Young is keeping a positive outlook as work is already underway to raise funds to replace the damaged trees.

"I'm awfully encouraged by the response and support we've been getting. We've got a pretty cool neighborhood," Young said. "I think we're going to deal with this and come out even stronger."

The Covington Police Department has assigned the case to its criminal investigations bureau. "Rest assured we are going to devote some resources to this case in an effort to solve it rapidly," said Assistant Chief Brian Steffen. "I have absolutely no idea why anyone would want to damage trees."

A request for comment from the City of Covington was made early Thursday morning and this story will be updated when more information is known.

If you know anything about who may be involved in the tree vandalism, contact Kenton County Police Dispatch at 859.356.3040.

-Michael Monks, editor & publisher

Photos provided by Holly Young