Meth user burns 5th oldest tree in the world
Four out of five dentists agree — smoking meth in a tree is as rough on the environment as it is on teeth.
Sarah Barnes, 26, is charged with burning tree, 3,500.
Need proof? Consider the sorrowful tale of 26-year-old Sarah Barnes, arrested Tuesday in Florida for burning down the fifth oldest tree in the world, reports WFTV in Orlando.
Barnes has admitted starting the fire and is charged with meth possession with intent to sell and arson.
Police say she and a friend clambered into a 118-foot-tall bald cypress Jan. 16 and allegedly smoked meth. Since it was dark, Barnes is alleged to have lit a fire so she could see.
Somehow, the calm, dextrous hands of a meth user led to a blaze that burned the 3,500-year-old plant “from the inside out.”
The night of the blaze, firefighters ran a mile of hose in a desperate attempt to save the tree, reports wesh.com.
“I can’t believe I burned down a tree older then Jesus,” Barnes is alleged to have said to friends while showing them pictures she took of the damage.
The ancient Taxodium distichum, dubbed “The Senator,” was located near Longwood, Fla., in Big Tree Park, which will need a new name.
- Read more about The Senator.
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70 comments Add your comment
Atlanta Allen
February 29th, 2012
2:41 pm
First the pythons in the swamps, now Meth monkeys in the trees. Poor Florida.
JSL
February 29th, 2012
2:43 pm
Well, George Mathis – you and I have a very different opinion of serious and professional journalism. The way your started and ended this story speaks for itself. The only thing missing was a rim shot.
CatLover
February 29th, 2012
2:44 pm
You hit the nail on the head JRHD. Stupid is as stupid does.
Its a damn shame
February 29th, 2012
2:46 pm
Just stick with weed people.
treehugger
February 29th, 2012
2:52 pm
I don’t appreciate how this story pokes fun at the destruction of this tree.
smitr
February 29th, 2012
2:57 pm
I need to stop reading stories like this, because they make me so mad I want to spit nails. It’s people like this that are a total waste of air space and don’t deserve to be on this planet. She destroyed something that can NEVER be replaced, and she probably could’t care less. I agree with the poster that said she needs to plant 3,500 trees as part of her punishment, and then they need to lock her up and throw away the key! Scumbag!!
Redland
February 29th, 2012
3:02 pm
So we’re supposed to think all of this is funny?
B
February 29th, 2012
3:23 pm
As sad as this story is, it did have to hilarious lines. Thank you, well written.
B
February 29th, 2012
3:23 pm
Two, I meant TWO!
thenerveofsome
February 29th, 2012
3:27 pm
Dumb broad…Methamphetamine possession, manufacturing, sale, and usage should be punishable by death, along with simply being an ignorant moron.