Park rangers are investigating a disturbing mystery in a Mason County state park.

KING-TV reports ( http://is.gd/HWlXX5) 21 full-grown maple trees - some as old as 100 years - have been chopped down inside Jarrell Cove State Park.

Many of the trees were left behind, chopped up into pieces. Ranger Mischa Cowles says it appears the thieves were looking for high quality, two-foot sections of maple to be used to make violins or guitars.

The trees are on a remote part of the 89-acre park on Harstine Island.

Cowles believes the thieves came onto the property when the park was closed. Some of the trees they chopped won were 100-feet tall.

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Information from: KING-TV, http://www.king5.com/