A tree vandal is systematically killing off an avenue of Limes in a Fife park.
Nine of 21 Lime trees on a prominent path leading from the imposing Carnegie Gates into Pittencrieff Park have been attacked.
Large strips of bark have been torn from the trees and over time this will kill them off, experts fear.
And park staff fear the culprit may be carrying out the vandalism without knowing the fatal damage they are inflicting on the trees.
Mystery surrounds the reason why someone is stripping the trees in this fashion.
According to experts, the inner bark can be used for ropes, while the bark is often used for smoking food.
There are even reports smoking bark could give a “head rush”.
It is particularly upsetting as Pittencrieff Park, or the Glen as it is affectionately known throughout west Fife, is bursting into full bloom for its summer season when it attracts thousands of locals and visitors to the area alike.
And as work on multi-million-pound Heritage Lottery-funded restoration projects nears completion.
But now the Dunfermline park’s staff are becoming increasing concerned about the Lime trees on Vartan’s Way,
This imposing avenue is near the statue of Andrew Carnegie, the Dunfermline-born industrialist and philanthropist who gifted the park to the people of the town.
Nine of the 21 trees have had large sections of bark stripped from their trunks which, over time, will kill them.
Fife Council’s parks area coordinator Nigel Stevens said: “The bark has been stripped in large, neat sections with none of it left behind so this doesn’t seem like an act of vandalism but rather that someone is removing it for some sort of use.
“Unfortunately though, the extent of the damage means that these trees probably won’t survive long term.”
Mr Stevens added: “The culprit may not realise the extent of their actions so we’re putting out a public appeal asking them to stop.
“A lot of investment has gone into the park in the last few years and the feedback we get about how great it’s looking from proud locals as well as new visitors is very encouraging.
“We’d hate to see further deterioration to these well-established Lime trees in such an iconic part of Pittencrieff Park.”
He added that this was criminal damage, and if anyone saw someone stripping tree bark in the park they should report it to Police Scotland by calling 101.
