Police: Woman set fire to 3,500-yr.-old cypress tree while trying to use drugs

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Sara Barnes

(Credit: Seminole County Jail)

(CBS/AP) LONGWOOD, Fla. - Authorities say a Florida woman is in jail after she allegedly set fire to one of the world's oldest cypress trees while trying to use illegal drugs.

According to CBS affiliate WKMG, Sara Barnes, 26, told authorities that she and a friend were inside the hollow tree on the early morning of Jan. 16 and lit a fire so they could see better.

Investigators say two witnesses identified Barnes as the person who caused a 118-foot-tall bald cypress tree named "The Senator" to burn and collapse. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Barnes reportedly took photos of the fire with her cellphone.

The Seminole County parks department says ring samples showed the tree, located in Big Tree Park in Longwood, was roughly 3,500 years old.

According to WKMG, Barnes was arrested on charges of intentional burning of land, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies and agents served a search warrant Tuesday at her home near Winter Park, WKMG reports. They seized a cellphone and a laptop, which are still being processed to see if the photos of the fire can be retrieved, according to authorities.

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by gingermavy March 3, 2012 1:31 PM EST: So has she always been a loser, or is this something new? I love knowing when the wheels come off for people.; Reply to this comment


by suncat13 March 2, 2012 7:47 AM EST: Too bad the tree didn't fall on her. If it had, justice would have been served.; Reply to this comment


by Dgunner March 1, 2012 9:40 AM EST: Let this serve as a example of what meth will do to you.All the christians are saying she is destroying a temple of the Lord with meth. A tree is just a spec of dust compared to that.The athiest and agnostics are left breathless at the loss of the tree. The loss of one of God's children should concern you more.I will put my soap box away for the day and allow you to ponder this.Be safe and peace to you all.; Reply to this comment


by Stuxnet March 1, 2012 9:06 AM EST: 3500 year old tree succumbs to an ignorant, white trash **** and ho. Very sad.; Reply to this comment

by dman6015 March 1, 2012 8:49 AM EST

You can see just by looking at her face that she's a meth addict. I bet if you found a picture of her from 5 or so years ago, you'd probably see a completely different face.

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by Stuxnet March 1, 2012 9:06 AM EST: 3500 year old tree succumbs to an ignorant, white trash **** and ho. Very sad.


by TeeThomp March 1, 2012 8:10 AM EST: Tree grubs.; Reply to this comment

by varigdc10 March 1, 2012 5:59 AM EST

How was the woman supposed to know the tree was so precious, if so, why not have a sign posted next to it to alert the people, or even a fence around it. At least she did not burn down a house and killed someone.

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by uisignorant March 1, 2012 7:19 AM EST: I cannot believe you would even post this....


by InsGadget March 1, 2012 7:50 AM EST: The tree is in a park called Big Tree Park. Not sure about fences, been a while since I've been there, but it is quite marked and quite well known. It's not just some random tree in the woods, it is cleared around it so that the tree stands out. There are paths that lead to the tree from the parking area.

I really wish there was an ignorance filter on internet comments.

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by longtree-2009 March 1, 2012 5:38 AM EST

is it time to legalize meth too? seems more and more people are doing meth these days judging by news stories almost everywhere. people want to legalize pot so why not meth, just wondering. suppose that at some starting point it is a person's free choice to do a particular drug for whatever reason but don't know for sure. perhaps provide drug dens where those who choose to do whatever drug can do them in a somewhat safe environment like a bar where people go to get good and drunk.

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by InsGadget March 1, 2012 7:52 AM EST: Pot is a joke compared to meth. Marijuana should be legalized, and that's it.


by honestabe8 March 1, 2012 8:31 AM EST: There is a world of difference between pot and meth


by skeezix06 March 1, 2012 5:12 AM EST: Throw the book at her.; Reply to this comment

by Bryon_Evans March 1, 2012 1:22 AM EST

The tree is gone. That's sad. But what lingers on are the pathetic posts around the internet, the same kind of comments about people being "trash" and "low lifes" that are the very reason why most people end up having such low self esteem, inferiority complexes and or outright rebellious spiteful dispositions which lead them to doing meth, being drunks, drug addicted and anything else they happen upon that they feel is a "thumbing of their nose" to every self glorified creep out there that likes to talk other human beings down in favor of some bs "concept" of perfection. Congratulations folks, you've perfected the art of fueling the fire that's burning the whole thing down all while you stand around patting yourselves on the back for how witty your hatefulness has become.

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by Midnight_Sol March 1, 2012 1:50 AM EST: Don't worry, we'll get over it.


by deoppressoliber1964 March 1, 2012 5:46 AM EST: "But what lingers on are the pathetic posts around the internet, the same kind of comments about people being "trash" and "low lifes" that are the very reason why most people end up having such low self esteem, inferiority complexes and or outright rebellious spiteful dispositions which lead them to doing meth, being drunks, drug addicted......"

Aww, what's wrong Bryon, are you inadequately endowed? Didn't mommy hug you enough?