KINGSTON — Citizens received an unpleasant surprise this week while walking or driving along the east side of West Kingston Road.

Nearly a dozen trees on the county right-of-way between State Route 104 and Barber Cut-off Road were vandalized on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, according to a Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office report.

Several were uprooted and four were broken at the trunk, about 12 inches from the base, the report stated. The cost has been estimated at $350 for each tree damaged.

There were no suspects at press time.

Doug Bear of Kitsap County Roads Department said the trees in the county right-of-way are the responsibility of Ace Paving. The business is still finishing up work on West Kingston Road, Bear added.

Until the roadwork is completed and is accepted by the county, the road is the responsibility of the contractor, he explained.

Ace Paving is currently figuring out how it will replace the trees.

Margie Moore, who was a victim of last summer’s tree vandalism, said she was upset to hear the recent news.

“I think the kids just hang on them,” she speculated. Moore has e-mailed North Kitsap County Commissioner Chris Endresen about the problem.

At an Aug. 6 Kingston Citizens Advisory Committee, members discussed ways to care for the trees and prevent vandalism in the community.

“I think they should stake them with barbed wire, that’s my opinion.” Moore said.