The tree carver from Welland, Ontario, has been caught, Niagara police said.

A 40-year-old man was arrested and charged with criminal damage valued at more than $5,000 for carving detailed faces into the trunks of seven living trees, said Const. Michael Malachowsky of the Niagara Regional Police Service.

The man was also charged Monday with failing to meet bail conditions in another case, Malachowsky said in an email.

He will be held in jail pending a bail hearing next week.

The police investigation began last month after carved faces depicting haunting figures appeared in trees near Welland City Hall.

While the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area described them as “unique carvings” on social media, city officials said the cuts caused irreversible damage.

The ability of the Norway and Manitoba maple trees and the five poplars to transport nutrients has been disrupted, Welland officials said in a statement.

And they are now more exposed to harmful diseases and pests.

“These (cuts) are not only harmful to the tree, but can also affect the entire tree canopy, which provides shade, oxygen and habitat for wildlife,” the statement said.

The city expects the trees to need to be replaced in a few years, costing taxpayers up to $8,000.