Banksy tree mural that sprouted in London is fenced off after apparent vandalism

An environmentally themed mural by elusive street artist Banksy that appeared last week on a London street has been encased in plastic and surrounded by fencing after an apparent act of vandalism. The work quickly attracted crowds but two days later was splashed with white paint. The local authority says it is fencing off the site to protect the art and mitigate the impact of visitors but will use plastic panels to allow clear views. Works by Banksy have sold for millions of dollars, and other outdoor murals have often been stolen or removed soon after they appeared. The latest work would be harder to take down since the piece relies on a nearby tree for its impact.