James Bruggers

@jbruggers

File this in the category of "What goes on in some people's brains?"

A vandal or vandals destroyed a tree in Tyler Park last week, stripping its bark away to prevent the movement of sap and nutrients to its canopy.

Metro Parks spokeswoman Julie Kredens said that Metro Parks' security director was planning to check security cameras at the park to see whether they shed light on the vandalism. Metro Parks will also file a report to Louisville Metro Police.

"What happens to it beyond that then becomes an LMPD decision," she said.

But I'm guessing tree girdling is not high on the Metro Police' crime prevention agenda.

It will be replaced, but not until the fall planting season.

Mimi Zinniel, president and CEO of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, said the conservancy has in the past offered rewards to catch park vandals. She said it may consider a reward in this case depending on the review of the security cameras and what the police say in their report.

Metro Parks identified it as an ash tree, which means it could have potentially been attacked and killed by the emerald ash borer, which is now in Louisville. Still, that's no excuse.