Niagara police get to root of Welland, Ont., tree carving mystery, make arrest

The tree carver of Welland, Ont.,has been caught, Niagara police say.

A 40-year-old man was arrested and charged with mischief over $5,000 for chiseling detailed faces into the trunks ofseven living trees, saidConst. Michael Malachowsky with the Niagara Regional Police Service.

The man was also charged on Monday forfailing to comply with a bail condition in an unrelated case, Malachowsky said in an email.

He is being held in jail until a bailing hearing next week.

The police investigation began last month after haunting faces appeared etched intrees near Welland's city hall.

While the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area described them as "unique carving pieces" on social media, city officials said the cuts had caused irreversible damage.

The ability of theNorway and Manitoba maples and five poplar trees to transport nutrients hasbeen disrupted, said Welland staffin a statement.

And they're now more more exposed to harmful diseases and pests.

"These [cuts]are not only detrimental to the tree but can also affect the overall tree canopy that provides shade, oxygen, and habitat for wildlife," the statement said.

The city anticipatesit will need to replace the trees in a few years, which will cost taxpayers up to $8,000.