An investigation is underway into the illegal removal of a scar tree, sacred to the Kaurna community, at Gawler, north of Adelaide.

Key points: Scar trees are important archaeologically and for Aboriginal people's stories and ceremonies

Scar trees are important archaeologically and for Aboriginal people's stories and ceremonies An ancient scar tree at Gawler has been cut down illegally, possibly for firewood

An ancient scar tree at Gawler has been cut down illegally, possibly for firewood The local council and SA Police are investigating who did it

The tree, which was central to the Aboriginal community's history, was several hundred years old and a significant cultural site for singing and dancing.

Only the stump of the tree on the Gawler River remains.

Kaurna elder Jeffrey Newchurch said he was shocked to hear it had been destroyed.

"It is highly significant to Kaurna and Aboriginal people with our sacred trees," he said.

"Even though it's not a living tree, it's still living because it holds significant sacredness and we're able to tell that story.

"It's been lying there for years and years … It's been laying there since white man first came up to settle … and suddenly an individual comes and cuts it up for firewood.

"It takes apart that opportunity to go tell your story, to pass that education, that awareness on, not only to our own people but the wider community."

The scar tree was one of 26 Aboriginal sites registered on the North Para, South Para and Gawler River corridors.

Scar trees have important archaeological significance.

Scars in the trees were generally made for canoes, shelters, shields or other artefacts.

A similar scar tree in Victoria. ( ABC Central Victoria: Larissa Romensky )

Investigation by council and police

The Town of Gawler Council has been working with SA Police to investigate a range of illegal tree felling and removal from local reserves over the past month.

Mayor Karen Redman said the news that such a significant cultural site had been lost forever was upsetting and by far the worst of these attacks.

"Trees can be replaced but such culturally significant items can't," Ms Redman said.

"Kaurna heritage is extremely important to our community and to know that a part of this heritage has been lost as a result of illegal activity is a real disappointment."

The council and the Kaurna community met at the site of the scar tree's remaining stump on Monday to discuss the issue and plans for improved Aboriginal cultural heritage management.

Mr Newchurch said it was not the first time Aboriginal heritage sites had been vandalised.

"When I was first informed, I could have had anger, but it gave us an opportunity to work with the Gawler council and imprint that cultural mapping of Kaurna's footprint on the town of Gawler," he said.

"We've come a long way, we're working together, we've never had that opportunity afforded to us before and today it's happening.

"We have no clear solution … not only the Aboriginal issue around heritage, it's also the non-Aboriginal issue, it's together, if we can marry them we find solutions together because it's not an easy thing to fix straight away."