(Freeport, CA) — Residents of the Sacramento Delta community of Freeport are demanding an explanation after nearly 20 historic oak trees were chopped down in the middle of the night. It happened late Sunday night and early Monday morning. The trees stood along Highway 160, which was once called Victory Highway.

The trees were originally planted to honor fallen World War One soldiers.

It’s unclear if the crew had a permit, since the removal of any oak tree in California requires a permit. One of the oak trees in the same area was also chopped down in the middle of the night in January.