Oaks Dying at Arkansas Park After Suspected Poisoning

Officials in Tontitown, Ark., say up to 50 trees will likely die after someone dumped a heavy-duty herbicide in a city park.

City building inspector Ken Bailey says most of the oak trees at Harry Sbanotto Park are more than 100 years old. The Morning News reports that officials believe someone dumped 70 pounds of herbicide in the park last fall or winter.

This spring, the ground soaked up the herbicide and delivered the deadly chemical to the trees’ roots. Officials say it’s just a matter of time before the trees start dying. The trees’ leaves are starting to turn brown and fall to the ground.

The Arkansas State Plant Board tested pellet samples found on the ground and determined the chemical was a high-strength herbicide called Spike 80DF.