Fencing, decorated with a touch of festive cheer, has gone up around the gum trees in Crown Street Mall, in an attempt to curb would-be vandalism.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The metal cages, complete with coloured tinsel for the Christmas season, were installed over the weekend after the Mercury reported on Friday that several of the young trees had been damaged.
In just six weeks, almost half the trees have been attacked by vandals, leaving the gums with broken branches and tree trunks.
The council put the damage bill at nearly $50,000.
The temporary fencing is set to stay in place until permanent tree guards can be erected in February.
Wollongong City Council has provided CCTV footage of the vandalism to police.
Officers are now investigating the matter.
