Another round of thefts have occurred at Lake Wilderness Arboretum.

Garden manager Susan Goodell says trees and plants are missing from several gardens, including a Fairy Hair Japanese Maple, an Acer Palmatum Dissectum Viridis and an assortment of ferns, another Acer from the Maple Garden plus another plant from the Rhododendron Garden.

“I am saddened by these losses,” Goodell says. “Our property manager Bob Whalberg has moved a few of our security cameras to better monitor the areas; however, the threat of video surveillance didn’t stop someone from taking plants right out of the gardens.”

Last December, thieves broke into the maintenance area and stole $1,500 worth of power cords, integral for Maple Valley’s popular holiday lights display, forcing Arboretum management to end it early.

Repeated break-ins have resulted in the loss of hand tools, a weed-eater, a leaf blower and brass sprinkler parts, costing the Arboretum more than $6,000. The property was never recovered.

If anyone knows information about these recent thefts, or see anything suspicious during visits to the Arboretum, contact the Maple Valley Police Department at 425-413-5158.