Police are looking for a group of youths after two mature trees in Farnborough were vandalised.
It is believed they entered the copse at The Potteries on Tuesday. They cut down a beech tree, which is likely to have hit adjacent power lines, although there was no damage.
The youths then tried to fell a pine tree, but left after cutting it halfway through the main trunk.
Rushmoor Borough Councillor Sue Carter, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Youth, said: “This was an incredibly reckless and dangerous thing to do.
“We believe this was a deliberate attempt to cause damage to the power supply.
“If they had succeeded, they and their families may have faced a far more serious outcome.
“I find it unbelievable that these young people had access to a chainsaw and would appeal to parents to make sure that dangerous power tools are securely stored.”
As well as the community losing two mature trees, the council has to pay £1,000 bill for the emergency felling of the pine and subsequent tidy up.
Anybody who may have information about the incident should contact the police on 101.