LONDON (AP) It was nice while it lasted.

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 is on a four-story wall near a public housing project.

Beside a real and severely pruned cherry tree, the artist stenciled a small figure holding a pressure hose.

Swathes of green paint across the wall stand in for the trees absent leaves.

The work quickly attracted crowds including Banksy fans from around the world.

Two days later, it was splashed with white paint.

The mural was then covered in transparent plastic by the buildings owner, and a sign appeared saying the area was under video surveillance.