NORTHERN MICHIGAN, MI - Over 100 large sugar maple trees have been cut down on state-managed lands, with the stolen logs sold to sawmills.

Three suspects, in their mid-20s, are facing felony and misdemeanor charges in Charlevoix and Cheboygan counties.

Their names have not been released pending initial court appearances.

The state Department of Natural Resources began investigating late last year after receiving complaints that large maple trees in state forests have been cut down. The thickest part of the tree - the lower 8 to 12 feet - was usually taken, with the rest left to rot.

In many cases, valuable logs were left behind.

Here is a closer view of an illegally downed maple tree.

"An analogy to the wasted timber left in the woods is that of a poacher illegally killing a deer and taking only the back straps (tenderloins)," said DNR Sgt. Greg Drogowski of the Gaylord District office.

The DNR identified suspects with help of residents and those involved in the timber industry. The logs were sold to various sawmills, the DNR said.

Drogowski said maple trees, valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, were cut down at multiple sites in Northern Michigan. Investigators matched logs sold to mills to trees at the cutting sites.

The DNR urged anyone who finds areas where trees have been cut down, near trails and roads, with only the lower part removed, to contact the Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800. Tipsters can remain anonymous and earn rewards.

To report information on this case, contact Lt. James Gorno at 989-732-3541 or the poaching hotline.

John Agar covers crime and other issues for MLiveE-mail John Agar: jagar@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterJAgar