The pops of summer color are bountiful in their front yard: greens, yellows and purples from flowers and trees."I always dreamed of having a beautiful garden with beautiful plants," said Tammy Smith. She and Blaine Campbell have been together some five years. They've turned the yard into an oasis, but a key part is now gone from the corners of their driveway. The couple said someone swiped two of their Japanese maple trees over the weekend.One was ripped out of its soil. The other was taken, pot and all.The trees are only a few feet tall and take years to grow. They cost a few hundred dollars each, but their true meaning to the couple is much deeper."They don't realize they're taking something very sentimental," Campbell said.Smith and Campbell planted them as part of their larger front yard project as she was undergoing breast cancer treatment in 2021."We were all in shock about that news," Smith said about being diagnosed in her 30s. "Doing the yard work and planting the garden, it helped me a lot in the cancer journey."Smith's cancer is now in remission, but she is still facing some health challenges.North Huntingdon police are investigating. A neighbor's doorbell video shows an SUV driving by in the early morning on Saturday, June 8, and stopping in front of one of the trees. Then, the tree is gone. The couple said the other tree was taken later in the day.Campbell posted about the incident online and said folks have been sharing similar experiences of having their beloved plants stolen. Some have even offered them seedlings, which they're very appreciative of."Please just cut it out," Campbell said to whoever took the trees. "I get that you want trees, but there are other options out there."The couple has added cameras and lights to their house as extra security. Smith said she hopes the thief or thieves will bring the trees back, but she just wants them to have a good home."I hope whoever got it takes good care of them," she said. "That would mean a lot to me, too."
NORTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
The pops of summer color are bountiful in their front yard: greens, yellows and purples from flowers and trees.
"I always dreamed of having a beautiful garden with beautiful plants," said Tammy Smith. She and Blaine Campbell have been together some five years.
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They've turned the yard into an oasis, but a key part is now gone from the corners of their driveway. The couple said someone swiped two of their Japanese maple trees over the weekend.
One was ripped out of its soil. The other was taken, pot and all.
The trees are only a few feet tall and take years to grow. They cost a few hundred dollars each, but their true meaning to the couple is much deeper.
"They don't realize they're taking something very sentimental," Campbell said.
Smith and Campbell planted them as part of their larger front yard project as she was undergoing breast cancer treatment in 2021.
"We were all in shock about that news," Smith said about being diagnosed in her 30s. "Doing the yard work and planting the garden, it helped me a lot in the cancer journey."
Smith's cancer is now in remission, but she is still facing some health challenges.
North Huntingdon police are investigating. A neighbor's doorbell video shows an SUV driving by in the early morning on Saturday, June 8, and stopping in front of one of the trees. Then, the tree is gone. The couple said the other tree was taken later in the day.
Campbell posted about the incident online and said folks have been sharing similar experiences of having their beloved plants stolen. Some have even offered them seedlings, which they're very appreciative of.
"Please just cut it out," Campbell said to whoever took the trees. "I get that you want trees, but there are other options out there."
The couple has added cameras and lights to their house as extra security.
Smith said she hopes the thief or thieves will bring the trees back, but she just wants them to have a good home.
"I hope whoever got it takes good care of them," she said. "That would mean a lot to me, too."
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