PARK wardens are stumped after a number of saplings have been vandalised in bizarre attacks which could destroy them.

Mark Worrall, head park keeper at Gheluvelt Park, first discovered bark ripped away from the young trees about two weeks ago in the conservation area near to the Pump House Environment Centre.

Since then, another 19 trees have been attacked and a brick covered in bark scrapings was discovered at the foot of one of the damaged trees.

Puzzled wardens have found some of the 10 to 20-year-old trees, including silver birch, ash and cherry varieties, with a ring of bark removed from around the trunk while others have had large chunks of bark ripped off.

Michelle Newell, Worcester City Council’s community engagement officer, explained the damage could kill the trees as the bark transported its food and water.

While they had not ruled out the possibility of an animal being responsible for the damage, the number of trees affected and position of the damage suggested otherwise.

“It is not like they are breaking branches off so there is the potential that they are not doing it maliciously and don’t realise they are potentially causing some serious damage," she said.

“In the worst case scenario the tree could die so we want to make people aware that if they see something please let us know.

“If it is people causing the damage, then we can politely let them know that what they are doing can affect the trees’ growth.”

The park is a popular spot particularly with families after it was renovated in 2010 to include a splash pad, improved play area and memorial to the Battle of Gheluvelt with help from Heritage Lottery Funding.

They hoped with increased footfall in the park due to the summer holidays someone might see who or what was responsible for the damage.

Miss Newell said: “If there is damage it is usually somebody carving their initials into the trees but this time chunks of bark has been ripped off a lot of the trees and we are wondering if it is vandalism.

“At first we thought it could have been caused by squirrels but when we looked at them we noticed quite a few had been damaged and then we found the brick which had bark on it which looked like someone had used it to scratch away at the trees.”

Anyone who spots someone causing vandalism to the trees should speak to the park keeper or call into the Pump House Environment Centre.