AUGUSTA -- Several city trees in Mill Park were discovered scarred and missing much of their bark Wednesday morning, and some may not survive the damage.

City officials believe the vandalism to about a half-dozen trees likely occurred Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Augusta Police are investigating.

The damage occurred just a day or two after some other trees, on Water Street, had their branches broken.

City Arborist Leo St. Peter said the Mill Park trees appeared to have been gouged and stripped of their bark, possibly by a young child with a knife or tool. Most of the damage occurred near the base of the trees, though some had about three-quarters of their bark pulled off.