Meth-Smoking Woman Burns Down 3,500-year-old Tree

by Michael dEstries February 29, 2012
Categories: Causes, Environment.

Have you heard the one about the tree that survived over 3,500 year of everything the planet could throw its way only to succumb to the idiocy of a woman smoking meth inside it? Oh boy.

The Senator, a 125-feet pond cypress, the 5th oldest tree in the world, met its end on January 16, 2012 after flames were seen shooting out “like a chimney”. Firefighters helplessly watched as the tree collapsed; ending an amazing life and puzzling investigators. Was it lightning? Arson? Or a meth-smoking idiot?

Meet 26-year-old Sarah Barnes.

“Police say she and a friend clambered into a 118-foot-tall bald cypress Jan. 16 and allegedly smoked meth,” reports the AJC. “Since it was dark, Barnes allegedly lit a fire so she could see.”

“Somehow, the calm, dextrous hands of a meth user led to a blaze that burned the 3,500-year-old plant ‘from the inside out.’”

According to Florida WFTV News, agents said Barnes took pictures of the fire and downloaded the images to her cellphone and computer. Officials said she showed people the images, and said “I can’t believe I burned down a tree older then [sic] Jesus.”

Well done, humanity.

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

View all posts by Michael dEstries →

Sheryl Bottner

That’s how the Senator was killed? Now I’m even angrier.
joe filosa jr

i like how the town of longwood tried to cover up this story. see this is why you should stick to weed, potheads have respect for the environment, i guess meth addicts do not.

our grandkids grandkids will be long gone by the time another cypress grows this big. sad day for all tree lovers.
Green GreenJoyment

Of all the places to smoke meth, why there? She’s insane. I guess meth does that. *Sigh*

Juan Miguel Ruiz
GreenJoyment
weeping willow

she should be burned for 3,500 hours
http://twitter.com/Winafish Remy Chevalier

She should be forced to give 5% of all her earnings for the rest of her life to Earth First!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001412431157 Joseph DeMartino Jr.

PLEASE tell me theres a law against this. She needs prison time.