'Worst he's seen in 33 years' – Council appeals for witnesses after 70 trees vandalised in Swansea park

The council has described the damage as the worst example of tree vandalism a staff member has seen in 33 years of service. The issue has been reported to South Wales Police and the council is urging anyone with information to come forward.

Almost all the new trees planted in the much-loved community park over the last 15 years have been attacked. Parks staff discovered last week that the trees had been hacked at with a knife or small bladed tool, with the bark stripped away by pulling.

Close-up of a young tree trunk at Parc Llewelyn showing deep vertical knife cuts through the bark — A young tree at Parc Llewelyn in Swansea shows deep knife cuts to its trunk, one of 70 trees deliberately vandalised in the park.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Tree at Parc Llewelyn with bark stripped away showing exposed inner wood from vandalism — A young tree at Parc Llewelyn in Swansea shows deep knife cuts to its trunk, one of 70 trees deliberately vandalised in the park.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Council worker's hand pointing to knife damage on tree trunk at Parc Llewelyn — A council parks worker examines one of the 70 damaged trees at Parc Llewelyn, described as the worst example of tree vandalism seen in 33 years of service.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Among the damaged trees were cherry trees donated to Swansea by the Japanese consulate in Wales.

Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services at Swansea Council, condemned the attack, calling it an “insult to the local community.”

“Someone will know who did this and I’d urge them to come forward and report it to police. They can do it anonymously if they want,” he said.
“The extent of the damage to so many trees would have taken a long time with a concerted effort, going tree to tree both sides of the paths and off into the centre of muddy fields. Cherry trees donated to Swansea by the Japanese consulate in Wales were not spared. It’s just very shaming.”

He added: