Trees ripped up at city park in ‘disgraceful’ vandalism act
TREES planted just months ago have been ripped from the ground in a Cardiff park in an act of vandalism which the council says it won’t be able to fix until the autumn.
“It was lovely to see families and little ones there on Monday for the start of the holidays, and then we have a bin overflowing with tree stumps which is just wrong,” said local resident Lisa Wright.
All eight trees planted in the park in the Whitchurch area in November 2023 were ripped out, according to Geraint Williams, 33, a Whitchurch resident.
He said: “I feel very frustrated that any attempt to improve places and make places greener gets vandalised. It happened at Caedelyn, Heath and now Whitchurch park.”
The council has contacted police about the incident, and will look to replace the trees later in the year when it is planting season.
The trees in Whitchurch library gardens would have grown apples, pears, plums and cherries with time. The cost of replacing all eight would be £240, according to the council.
Ms Wright said there is an assumption in the community that young people are responsible for this act of vandalism.
“It’s so sad for the young people that have got nothing to do with this. Everyone is assuming that it is youngsters and it may not be,” she said.
The trees were originally planted by volunteers from Whitchurch community group Awen, with support from council officers.
A spokesperson for Cardiff council said: “We strongly condemn the disgraceful vandalism of the trees in our park.
“Together with volunteers, our Coed Caerdydd project works to achieve collaborative planting in our communities. Acts of vandalism not only defile the natural beauty of our environment but also undermine the collective efforts of Cardiff council and our residents to enhance shared spaces for everyone’s benefit.
“We are working closely with the South Wales Police to swiftly apprehend those responsible. We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation by contacting South Wales Police, quoting reference number 2400096833.”