Vandals destroy Wis. tree honoring dead soldiers

SUPERIOR, Wis. -- Authorities in Superior are trying to find out who destroyed a maple tree that was planted in memory of local soldiers and laborers.

The tree was planted in April to honor soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for laborers who died in recent industrial accidents.

But local officials found it destroyed this weekend, cut in several pieces and left in a pile of rubble.

Superior City Councilor Dan Olson says it was cut using a pruning saw so the vandals knew what they were doing.

He doubts the destruction was caused by kids just messing around. He says the extent and method of damage suggest the vandals were trying to make an anti-war or anti-labor statement.

A Superior parks official tells Wisconsin Public Radio a replacement tree could cost $200.