Thieves Steal Living Tree Honoring Dead Brother
- Share via
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — In a solemn moment five years ago, Paul Laming planted a tree to honor his dead brother.
Now the tree is gone, too--cut down and stolen from Laming’s front yard in broad daylight while he was running an errand.
“Now I’ve had a piece of my heart taken out twice,” Laming said Friday. “What do they want next? A pint of blood, or a gallon?”
Laming and his father planted the tree in May, 1989, two months after George Laming died of a heart attack at age 35.
The 3-foot tree grew to 11 feet and dominated the front yard. It even became a neighborhood landmark.
“I hoped that maybe a part of him in spirit would go on,” Laming said. “It’s kind of ironic because his life was cut short and so was the tree’s.”
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
