i live on the first floor of an apartment, and i left my tree out on my balcony. i went out for about 4 hours,and when i got back,the tree was gone! i went to the lobby and found a trail of leaves and twigs that looked like they were from the tree and they led to the elevators, so i went onto the elevator and checked all the floors (all 16 of them!) and the only floor with twigs and any sort of evidence was on the 3rd floor. yet this isn't really sound evidence...
so what can i do? it was a pricey tree after all...

You can atleast file a report, although there's really nothing that can be done. If you have any suspects in mind, a report may be a good idea, just in case something comes up later.

But then again, anyone can make a police report about anything, but you never know if it may help or not.

thanks. i'll do that first thing. i guess it won't be the silliest thing to report (hopefully!)

go into the wood and chop down another tree...that way you get it for free and are not really out anything

..am i the only one who hears the song to the grinch who stole christmas..your a mean one mr.grinch...see if any of your neighbors have a dog with.....antlers?... ...there it goes again............youre a mean one mr.griiiinnnccchhhh... .jk

I don't see the relation.

If they can get on your balcony to steal your tree you might take that as a heads up to secure your patio door and windows so whom ever snached your pricey tree does not come back for your Christmas presents or a package of another sort.

Renter's insurance is really more affordable than you might expect. Definately a good idea in the "fire" season when everything you own could go up in smoke. Check your car insurance you might be lucky and have a rider.

Would definitely report the theft to your landlord. Don't make accusations because that is more misery than it is worth. Resist getting into a fued even if you do find out. Most Landlords have a standard policy of EVICTING everyone in those kind of squabbles. And usually they escalate into expensive car vandelizations if idle words go down the grapevine. It is possible that if you are a good tenant they will move you to a bettter apartment or possibly transfer you to another complex they own. Be smart don't overspend your budget getting another tree and end up not being able to pay next months rent. January is a really tough time to be homeless. Shelters are usually OVER capacity.

You might wait hours for a police officer to make a report but that with your sales reciept might prompt the vender to give you a discount on another purchase. If you happen to be a single parent you might call Salvation Army or the radio station and see if someone feels like being a hero. Ask your pastor it is quite possible one of your older church family members is like I am and have and extra in storage.

Our youngest son was out of the hospital only rarely for Christmas and a local teenager came into the house and stole every single present that year. I really wanted to throttle the kid. Sorry you were ripped off. Know it is not a fun feeling.

I would load up the rifle and start breaking down doors...

My God its Christmas...people have no morals anymore!

Yeah, thats pretty sad when you get your Christmas tree ripped off right off your balcony. Keep your place locked and go get another.

I'd beat the crap out of everyone on that floor until they gave it up!

Unless that trail of branches goes directly from your patio to someone's door, it's gonna be hard to get the cops to do anything besides take a report (which you should do anyway).

Tis' the season to steal all your stuff.

So sorry your tree was stolen!
I don't think there is much chance to recover it though.
I think I would report it though,That way someone would be more apt to watch things a little closer.
I would post a sign on my balcony that read(to who stole my tree,Marry ***## Christms) Touch Any Thing Els,And Your A$$ Is Mine!!!!
J.M.2 cents.
Good Luck on how ever you handle this!

Who the hell would steal a tree (other than drunken teenagers)??? That's one reason I live in a small suburb where everybody mostly knows everybody. Sooner or later the word gets back to you.

From every experience I've had, the cops would just laugh at you and probably say they're busy trying to find Santa's sleigh and don't have time for you.

lol,, u guys are nuts

It is a terrible thing to do though, stealing a christmas tree. My first ex once beat his sister for stealing their moms tree and gifts at christmas to sale for herself. I dont condone beating,, but if ever there was an understandable reason....

haha all interesting options!
in an interesting twist of events...
turns out that us tenants aren't even supposed to have real trees in our apartments because they are fire hazards. so along with losing a pricey tree, i found out that it couldn't stay anyway and it would have been better off spending that money on an artificial tree! wow, christmas is really looking good so far...
so, i've settled for a christmas plant (hahahaha..so sad, so true) and a sorta funny story to tell.
and who knows...as people always say, karma's a *****. i hope those pathetic tree stealers get what they deserve.

Police HAVE to take a report & anything stolen & reported is tax deductable. Handle it & forget it.

I've had Christmas plants before, and bought small trees to be planted outdoors in spring. It's pretty cool to see your 'tree' grow every year. Glad to see you've picked up on feeling better about the whole thing.