Guess someone did not want competition.

My best guess at this time is that someone did not agree with clearing woodland to make room for an orchard. But that is pure speculation on my part. I will post any new information as it is reported on the local news.

Wow,

That's a pretty big deal, destroying someone's livelihood. A much bigger deal than simply vandalism or theft. I hope the guy is able to recover.

I wonder if the orchardist made a really bad enemy?

The article in the papers claims it was 'vandals' that cut the trees with loppers leaving only 18" of tree above ground. 639 trees? Thats a lot of lopping!

Too much work for casual vandalism.

That is pretty monstrous. At least it sounds like the trees may be able to recover if they were one year in the ground and lopped off at 18".

That's not so bad as if the orchard were in production.

I read this in the local paper... I figured that if he/she cut above the graft line, the trees would grow right back. The problem is u lose at least a year in production...but its not a total loss.

I think he needs to look at family/friends/associates... this isn't just random. That is a lot of work!

"That is pretty monstrous."

I agree Murky, it's just plain mean.

Reminds me of this winter here in Sterling Heights MI someone sprayed insecticide on a beekeepers hives. They all died. The city responded by ticketing the gentlemen for raising bees in the city. No good deed goes unpunished. Good news is a saw a fair amount of honey bees this year. Still coming around too.