Three charged for vandalizing famous bur oak near Columbia
Three people from Boonville have been charged on suspicion of spray-painting a famous tree in Boone County.
“The Big Tree” is a centuries-old bur oak northwest of McBaine. It is the largest tree of its kind in the state, and is a popular site for tourists in Boone County.
In December, the tree was vandalized with spray paint. Those charged with vandalizing the tree include Joseph Cary, Taylor Gee, and Ethan Hessing. Cary, 22, turned himself in at the Boone County jail on March 19. Gee, 19, and Hessing, 20, are still at large.
