A series of haunting faces carved into tree trunks in Welland, Ontario, may look like art, but city officials and police say they are simply vandalism.

Faces are carved into the trunks of seven trees, game of Thrones Fans – reminiscent of mythical, talking weirwood trees. They are located on a path behind the city’s Civic Square.

However, the cuts made to the Norway maple, Manitoba maple and five poplars would practically guarantee their premature death, the city says.

The damage to the trunks impairs their ability to transport nutrients and exposes them to harmful diseases and pests, the city’s statement said.

“These (cuts) are not only harmful to the tree, but can also affect the entire tree canopy, which provides shade, oxygen and habitat for wildlife,” the statement said.

The city expects the trees to need to be replaced, which will cost taxpayers up to $8,000. This amount includes employee salaries and the time spent removing the damaged trees, preparing the area for replanting, and purchasing and planting new trees.

It will take several years before changes in the health of the trees become visible, the city says.

According to Const. Luke Lindley, Niagara Police detectives began their investigation earlier this week.

The Welland logger is still at large. (Downtown Welland BIA/Facebook)

In addition, officers are patrolling the area on bicycles and on foot to prevent further incidents.

But the police are at a loss when it comes to identifying the tree chisel.

They are appealing to anyone with information to come forward, Lindley says.

“A fascinating” mystery

Before police began their investigation, the BIA posted photos of the trees on social media, describing them as “unique carvings.”

The social media post drew mixed comments, with one person calling the carvings “evil” and others warning that the trees would almost certainly die.

“It’s a fascinating thing,” said Lee Carr, executive director of the Business Improvement Area (BIA) in downtown Welland, about the incident.

Although the BIA is a “staunch supporter of public art exhibitions,” it does not tolerate them without city approval, Carr said in an interview.

“We now know that there are serious concerns about the impact on living trees and that there are other places where this could have been done,” he said.