By JOLENE OGLE
HEARTLESS thieves have stolen over 30 bonsai trees from a Noosaville property, leaving their owner devastated after tending to the trees for the past three years.
Hamish Dods of Noosaville said he was shocked when he woke on Thursday morning 3 December to find fence palings had been torn down in his backyard and his entire bonsai tree collection stolen.
Hamish’s wife Annabel first posted the news of the theft to Facebook in a post that said thieves had been “lurking in backyard for ages” while the couple slept.
“They carried (the trees) through the unit block behind us and into a car. We followed the soil trail,” the post said.
Annabel said the trees were her husband’s pride and joy having spent hundreds of hours tending to them including his most cherished tree – a fig sapling that was given to the couple as a wedding present.
“When I saw they were stolen I buckled over and wept like a baby,” Hamish said. “Some people come home from work and play video games, but I walk straight down to my trees. It’s my time to zone out and chill out.”
It is understood another home near the Noosa Hospital was also targeted on the same night with bonsai trees stolen.
Hamish said while the loss of the trees was devastating, the loss has resulted in an incredible response from the community.
“Since Annabel posted on Facebook, other people have offered to give me plants,” he said. “I’ve lost my stuff but it’s brought out the best in a lot of people.”
Hamish and Annabel have contacted the police, but anyone with information can phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Annabel said the thieves might try to sell the plants and is also calling on community members to keep an eye out for an influx in bonsai trees at garage sales, on Facebook pages or at the markets.
