Redwood Tree Poachers

Poachers in California are cutting off large parts of redwood trees called burls, which they sell to local wood dealers. Since these trees have cool marble-ish patterns. They are used in expensive furniture and bowls. What's the bad thing about this? When you cut off a live tree's burl, it leaves them vulnerable to infection,rot, and forest fires. Some trees may also fall over, which can be dangerous to humans or animals. So the next time you see a wooden item that looks like marble, DON'T buy it, because it may have costed a redwood tree's life. 

Summarized from an article in Science World titled Tree Poachers.