THE public is being urged to help find the criminals who illegally cut a mature tree in East Kilbride. 

South Lanarkshire Council has confirmed an investigation is now under way after a common lime tree on council land between Sycamore Crescent and Juniper Avenue was "drastically" pruned. 

The council said the incident has had an environmental and visual impact on the area and said there will be a financial cost to replacing the tree. 

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It is asking the public to help it find out "who decided to take the law into their own hands and employ a tree surgeon". 

Kevin Carr, the council’s head of grounds services, said: "We are asking members of the public to help us with our investigation to find out who is responsible for the damage caused to a tree on council land.

"The tree is surrounded by houses so we hope that anyone who saw this illegal activity will come forward to help.

"Whoever did this may think they have done the right thing.

"However, this is a common lime tree which will regenerate quickly and come back with even more straggly growth."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the council via email at customer.service@southlanarkshire.gov.uk. 

The council has said they will refer the matter to police once they identify those responsible.