Midnight assassins

Sydney is suffering from an epidemic of tree poisoning, as homeowners seek a prized vista of the city's famous harbour and beaches. Opening up a view of the water can add tens of thousands of dollars to the value of a harbourside mansion or apartment, and some of the city's leafiest suburbs are now in danger of becoming leafless.

The arboreal assassins emerge at night, using the cover of darkness to drill holes in the base of trees before injecting powerful herbicides or other poisons. Within weeks, the tree is dead and the local council is compelled to remove it in case it topples over. The illegal tree killing has become an epidemic, according to New South Wales Environment Minister Bob Debus, fuelled by Sydney's overheated property market and an obsession with glimpses of water.

The state government plans to allow local council officers to search the homes of suspects for drills and poison, and to make it easier to prosecute offenders. 'We're looking at giving more search powers to council rangers,' a spokesman said. 'They might find valuable evidence in someone's backyard or garage.'

Councils are already resorting to more aggressive tactics to stop the vandalism. In a recent development, dead trees have been replaced with huge banners that block the view of the harbour or sea, and shame the perpetrators.

'This tree has been poisoned,' reads a sign strung up this week in the branches of a giant fig tree in the upmarket harbourside suburb of Woollahra. A telephone hotline number is provided for anyone with information about who might have poisoned the 70-year-old tree. Its death opens up enviable harbour glimpses for a newly built four-bedroom house, although the developer has declared his innocence.

'The community is saying enough is enough,' said the council's chief arborist, David Sheils. 'Everyone is gutted that people are becoming so brazen in poisoning trees for financial gain. Years ago, you would notice the odd branch removed here or there, but not whole trees.'