New mural in London speculated to be work of Banksy

The mural, on a residential building, uses an existing tree to create the impression of foliage with a person holding hose beneath it.

Crowds have turned out to see a tree mural that has appeared on a north London residential building overnight, with speculation it is the work of street artist Banksy.

The painting on a residential building on Hornsey Road in Finsbury Park attracted attention from neighbours and passers-by on Monday morning.

Residents told the PA news agency they were “proud and delighted” at the thought of the anonymous artist choosing their street for his latest mural.

Wanja Sellers, a Hornsey Road resident who lives a few doors down from the mural, said: “We’re so proud and delighted that Banksy chose our road and chose Finsbury Park for his work.

“The bright green colours represent Islington which is lovely and also, of course, St Patrick’s Day which is nice and festive.

“Choosing the colours of our borough just makes it feel like a personal message to us residents. We just feel so proud.”

Bright green paint has been sprayed on the building, in front of a cut-back tree, creating the impression of being its foliage. A stencil of a person holding a pressure hose has been sketched onto the building as well.

The vivid paint colour matches that used by Islington Council for street signs in the area.

The way it’s been done with the paint spraying down reminds me of a weeping willow, so there’s perhaps a message about the struggle of nature with the dead tree in front

Lidia Guerra, Hornsey Road resident

Neighbours gathered to take photographs and selfies with the mural and to speculate on its creator.

Many seemed convinced Banksy was behind it and were delighted he had seemingly chosen their road for his art.

Lidia Guerra, another Hornsey Road resident, said: “The way it’s been done with the paint spraying down reminds me of a weeping willow, so there’s perhaps a message about the struggle of nature with the dead tree in front.

“It’s just great – when we read about it last night, we knew we to come and see it as soon as possible.

“We feel so proud to think he chose our street.”

Banksy usually confirms his artwork via his Instagram and website. The elusive artist is yet to claim the mural as his own.

His last confirmed work was in December, when he painted military drones on to a stop sign in Peckham, south London.

That work removed less than an hour after it was confirmed to be genuine on the artist’s social media, with witnesses reporting it was taken down by a man with bolt cutters.

Two men were later arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage.

The PA news agency has contacted Banksy’s team for comment.