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.
Youths vandalise mature trees in Farnborough
