Healthy Families Invercargill along with Murihiku Kai Collective last month planted nine fruit trees at McQuarrie Park with the aim of strengthening the local food system.
However, South Alive Fruit & Nut team member and trustee Jess Chalmers was surprised when members of her team found over the weekend that six of the nine trees had been dug up and taken away.
"It is frustrating. We had people vandalising another community garden before but nothing like this," she said.
Healthy Families Invercargill systems innovator Rochelle Francis said the situation was sad.
"We just planted those trees last month and when I say we is because we had about 20 members of the community who came out and volunteered their time on a Saturday morning to start this orchard.
"Probably, who stole these trees did not realise that they are stealing from themselves because these trees are here for the community."
They understood many people were facing hardships in their lives, but there were services and organisations available across the region to help people in need, Mrs Francis said.
"Maybe they are desperate or maybe they mistakenly think these are just council trees on council’s land — but whatever is the reason, we would like to ask them to return the trees."
Another planting day was scheduled for this Saturday to plant other fruit trees as well take care of those already there.
The event and project would continue despite the hiccup as the ultimate goal was to build a large orchard, Mrs Francis said.
"Someone said that to plant a tree is to believe in tomorrow. And that why we are trying to do here — helping to build resilience for our community."
