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Alligator Juniper Trees Poached From El Malpais National Monument

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By Compiled From N... - November 19th, 2021

A number of unusual alligator juniper trees have been stolen from El Malpais National Monument/NPS file

A number of unique trees in the pinyon-juniper forests of El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico have been stolen, prompting the National Park Service to ask for information that could lead to the arrest of the thieves.

Alligator juniper trees are not considered a threatened or endangered species, but they are considered rare because of their slow growth rate, according to the National Park Service.

A diameter growth rate of approximately 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) per decade is typical for young trees, the agency said. A mature tree has deeply furrowed bark that is broken into square plates giving the appearance of alligator skin, hence the name. A seed from the alligator juniper can take up to 18 months to mature after pollination. An individual tree of this species can grow to be hundreds of years old.

The release did not specify how many trees were removed from the monument, or how the theft was discovered, or when it occurred, and Park Service staff were not immediately available to comment on the theft.

The release did say that, "[T]he illegal harvesting of trees impacts the biodiversity of the forest and degrades the health of the forest ecosystem. This area will take many decades to recover from the illegal harvest of the larger alligator junipers."

Individuals with information on the theft can reach the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at 1-888-653-0009 either through calling or texting. Callers may remain anonumous.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the trees have little commercial value, but they make "excellent firewood of relatively high heat value."

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