A HOME owner has been left stumped after vandals cut down three trees in her garden.

Diana Glencross, of Old Castle Road, in Rodwell, said she was ‘upset’ to find that someone had entered her garden and chopped down the Eucalyptus trees, leaving them dumped on her rubbish heap.

The 10-foot trees were planted in her garden three years ago, to offer some privacy to the garden, she said.

She added: “I just can’t understand who would do this.

“The stumps are really neat and close to the ground so it looks as though someone has used a saw.”

She believes the trees were cut down over the Christmas period when she was visiting relatives.

“I didn’t go into the garden for a while after I returned.

“Once I realised the trees had gone I asked around, because I thought it might have been the gardener, or a relative,” she added.

The incident was reported to Dorset Police, who are treating it as a case of criminal damage.

Diana’s father Roger said he was ‘disappointed’ as the trees had just started to become established.

He said: “They have got through the stage where they could be blown over and were starting to look quite well.

“Someone sawed them down and very neatly laid them on the rubbish heap – it’s very strange.”

The family is now worried for a fourth Eucalyptus tree, which was planted five years ago to mark the wedding of Diana’s sister.

She said: “I am worried that it could happen again.

“The fact is, someone has been in my garden, on my property, so it’s not very nice.”

Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101.