The guy that lived across the road from me when I was a kid had a tree stolen, and how he told it the Yakuza did it because the wood from whatever kind of tree it was is highly valued. Some shady dudes knocked on his door one day and tried to buy it, and after he refused it was gone and his gate smashed a few nights later. I don't remember what kind of tree.

Somehow I'd doubt this is the case here...