Washington criminal charge
Tree spiking in Washington
Tree spiking is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9.91.150. Its classification is not fixed: Washington assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by RCW 9.91.150.
What is the penalty for tree spiking in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Tree spiking — Maliciously driving or placing iron, steel, ceramic, or other hard substance in a tree or forest material/debris for the purpose of hindering logging or timber harvesting activities.; statutory maximum (RCW 9A.20.021(1)(c)); the sentence actually imposed is set by the Sentencing Reform Act standard range (RCW 9.94A.510) from the offense's seriousness level and the defendant's offender score) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Tree spiking — Maliciously driving or placing iron, steel, ceramic, or other hard substance in a tree or forest material/debris for the purpose of hindering logging or timber harvesting activities.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5)); unless a different maximum is specifically established by statute) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Possession of tree spiking materials — Possessing iron, steel, ceramic, or other hard substance with intent to use it in violation of subsection (1).; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(2)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.020 unless the offense fixes its own penalty) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Possession of tree spiking materials — Possessing iron, steel, ceramic, or other hard substance with intent to use it in violation of subsection (1).; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
Applies to crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984.
How is tree spiking classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tree spiking | Class C Felony | Maliciously driving or placing iron, steel, ceramic, or other hard substance in a tree or forest material/debris for the purpose of hindering logging or timber harvesting activities. | RCW 9.91.150(1) |
| Possession of tree spiking materials | Gross Misdemeanor | Possessing iron, steel, ceramic, or other hard substance with intent to use it in violation of subsection (1). | RCW 9.91.150(2) |
Common questions about tree spiking in Washington
Is tree spiking a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
What are the penalties for tree spiking in Washington?
Penalties for tree spiking in Washington depend on how it is classified — from a Gross Misdemeanor up to a Class C Felony — with the ranges set by RCW 9A.20.021; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Washington statute covers tree spiking?
Tree spiking is governed by RCW 9.91.150 (Tree spiking).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.