Historic Treaty Oak tree vandalized in downtown Austin

The Austin Police Department is investigating after someone damaged a hundreds-year-old tree with historic ties in downtown Austin.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating after someone damaged a hundreds-year-old tree with historic ties in downtown Austin.

The Treaty Oak is the sole remaining tree from the "Council Oaks," according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The Council Oaks were a set of trees recognized as the place where Stephen F. Austin — dubbed by some as the "founder" of Texas — signed a boundary line agreement with area Native Americans.

In the present day, it resides along Baylor Street in downtown Austin. On Wednesday, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department confirmed to KXAN the tree had been vandalized. A gash-like mark along the trunk of the tree was visible when KXAN visited the site.

"[PARD] is determining impacts and keeping the tree's health as the primary focus," a PARD spokesperson said in an email. "The vandalism has been reported to the Austin Police Department."

The spokesperson added city officials are expected to deliver an update on the tree's status "when new information is available."