I remember, not that long ago, the shire was pulling out old redgum reflectors (because we are remote backwater of the state) on old back roads and people went and knocked them off because they where such good wood lol. They were on a trailer all piled up. A lot of wood workers got their hands on them and what remained they decided to donate to the school or mens shed or some working charity I think lol
Same with rail road sleepers with Victorias Inland Rail Build. The sleepers where piled up and everyone and there family and dog and trailer were there helping themselves to the sleepers. Turned out they weren't free

coppers tried to do an investigation but got no where lol same with the reflectors