university says sitters topped trees

(AP) BERKELEY Protesters living in a grove of endangered trees could be accused of vandalism after someone lopped off the tops of a redwood and a cedar to make room for a sleeping berth.

Activists have been occupying the trees near University of California, Berkeley's Memorial Stadium since December, protesting the university's plan to raze dozens of the leafy sentinels to build a $125 million sports training center. Cal has offered to plant three new trees for every one removed.

The sitters have sleeping pads, bathroom buckets, books, guitars and food, but authorities said Thursday they may have cut the 40-to 50-foot tall trees to give themselves more room. No one has been cited, and authorities are trying to determine who was responsible.

"The trees are permanently damaged. It's not like the top of the tree is going to grow back," said university official Mitch Celaya, who said the tree tops were apparently chopped more than a month ago.

Tree sitters and their ground crew supporters were not available for comment.

Besides the tree sitters, citizens and coalitions have filed four lawsuits to stop the athletic project for safety, traffic congestion and other issues. Three of the suits are scheduled to go before Alameda.

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