SAN MARCOS, TX. -- Someone took a can or two of spray paint to one of the oldest, most cherished trees in San Marcos.
Even though the message was peaceful, the city has a warning for tree vandals: it's a criminal act and violators will be prosecuted.
The Grandmother Tree stands more than 40 feet tall and is estimated to be about 300-years-old. Vandals took it upon themselves to give this gorgeous Cypress tree a new look.
"It said love and it came down. And we had a giant sunflower on the tree," said city arborist, Kelly Eby.
It took Eby and her teammate 4.5 hours of careful scrubbing and sanding to restore Grandmother Tree.
"I'm sure they had really good interests of spreading peace and love but we want to preserve the natural beauty of the tree," said Eby.
San Marcos city marshal Jeff Caldwell said messages of peace don't make the act any less criminal.
"It will end up being graffiti or criminal mischief," said Caldwell.
If the tree vandals are caught, they could face additional charges for trespassing as the portion of John Stokes Park that houses the tree is closed due to flood damage.
The city has announced a $1,000.00 reward for information on who might have vandalized the tree.
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