The trees, popularised by the art of aboriginal painter Albert Namatjira, are regarded as ‘living spirits in indigenous culture’ reports the BBC.
The trees were due to be added to the national register of cultural heritage and work had been carried out to protect them from bush fires.
Images of the ‘vandalised trees in Alice Springs AAP
NT Minister for Indigenous Advancement Alison Anderson said: “It’s the two trees that brought this man [Namatjira] to prominence and brought the Northern Territory and Central Australia to prominence and put us on the world map.”
Namatjira, who was born at the Hermannsburg Lutheran Mission near to Alice Springs, died in 1959 aged 57 after a prolific career in which he created more than 2000 paintings.
