broke off at ground level Below: Petunias strewn outside House of Friendship Photos by Art Hanson

A tree planted in front of New Ulm City Hall Arbor Day, April 30, as New Ulm’s part in the U.S. Bicentennial Tree Program was killed Monday night. Police arrested two males they said broke the tree by hanging on it at 11:30 p.m. Monday.

The other, a 20-year-old Madelia youth was scheduled to appear in Brown County Court this afternoon on charge of criminal damage to property. His name will be published when he is in court.

The tree cost the city $165 plus labor to plant it, police said.

A 21-year-old New Ulm man had been arrested for driving under the influence and brought to the police station in city hall. Several other youths followed him to the station.

An officer parked in a squad car near city hall watched the youths and saw two of them come across the parking lot, duck under the window of the police station and jump on the tree, dragging it down.

Trees have not fared well on New Ulm city property. Vandals cut down the Christmas tree in front of city hall in 1971. Vandals drove over three trees at Kiesling Park in 1974, destroying them. One man was convicted of destroying one of those Kiesling Park trees.

Petunia blooms and planting dirt were strewn on the sidewalk this morning outside House of Friendship at the corner of Minnesota and N. First.

New Ulm Daily Journal

June 22, 1976

Suspect charged in

Bicentennial tree vandalism

Madelia, was charged Tuesday in Brown County Court with aggravated criminal damage to property.

The charge was brought by New Ulm Police in connection with the breaking of New Ulm’s Bicentennial tree in front of City Hall Monday night.

Hennis was bound over to District Court where he is to appear next Monday. Bail was set at $300. He posted bail and was released from jail.

The tree had been planted Arbor Day, April 30, as New Ulm’s part in the U.S. Bicentennial Tree Program.

Hennis and a 16-year-old New Ulm boy were arrested near city hall at 11:30 p.m. Monday. The 16-year-old will be charged in Juvenile Court.

New Ulm Daily Journal

June 23, 1976