South Perth council is investigating after a mature foreshore gum tree was poisoned through holes drilled into the base of its trunk.
Other Perth councils, including the City of Stirling and the City of Bayswater, have struggled with people vandalising trees on public land, usually in attempts to improve views or prevent leaf drop and birdsong.
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Lathlain Park trees pulled down
Raw footage as workers move in and rip out trees from Lathlain Park ahead.
This tree, as the photos show, is in a prime location between expensive homes and river and city views.
"Killing a gum tree for a view is as un-Australian as it gets," said Peter Melrosa of Victoria Park Urban Tree Network, who reported the vandalism at Ranelagh Crescent.
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"It's time we started working out who is benefiting from the improved views and begin knocking on doors and asking questions. It might be one person, it could be a collective of people. Either way they should not be rewarded with a new view for a criminal act."
He said the group has suggested the dead tree be retained as both nesting habitat and to prevent the outcome the perpetrator hoped for.
"Without taking reasonable measures to deter such an act it will likely continue until no trees are left on the foreshore," he said.
A City of South Perth spokeswoman said the act was one of wilful damage and an offence under both local and state law. Any offenders caught would be prosecuted - the City is proceeding with legal action in a similar case and has imposed fines on other residents caught out.
The city loses about four mature and 20 juvenile trees a year to such vandalism.
"Tree vandalism destroys the local amenity and costs ratepayers thousands of dollars each year," she said.
"When poisons have been applied to harm trees, the poison can prevent the growth of other plants or trees in the affected area for many years. In some cases the City has to replace a large amount of the soil to prevent the poison leaching into nearby waterways or the Swan or Canning River.
"Records are kept of the 28,000-plus trees in the City of South Perth and the City will continue to replant and maintain trees in response to blatant vandalism."
She said the poisoned tree would be replaced with four eucalyptus rudis - but the dead tree took 30 years to grow to that size, and its loss is a blow in an era of increasing concern over tree canopy cover in Perth, with the loss of cover linked to increased temperatures and public health problems.
The City installs metal trees to highlight criminal activity to other residents and visitors in areas of recurring tree damage.
The City of Stirling also erects embarrassing signage in spots where trees have been vandalised.
Anyone with information on the vandal can call the City on 9474 0777 or email enquiries@southperth.wa.gov.au.
Victoria Park Urban Tree Network advocacy group is hoping to expand into South Perth and is encouraging interested locals to get in touch via its Facebook page.