A new Banksy mural sprouts beside a cropped tree in London. Many see an environmental message

LONDON — A new Banksy mural drew crowds to a London street on Monday, even before the elusive graffiti artist confirmed that the work was his. She felt Banksy was saying something about “destroying the forests, destroying the greenery.” Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who represents the area in Parliament, said the work “makes people stop and think, ‘Hang on. His mischievous and often satirical images include two policemen kissing, armed riot police with yellow smiley faces, and a chimpanzee with a sign bearing the words, “Laugh now, but one day I’ll be in charge.” Banksy’s work has sold for millions of dollars at auction, and past murals on outdoor sites have often been stolen or removed by building owners soon after going up. “I suppose if someone comes and sprays red paint over it, you could call that art as well.” Alex Georgiou, whose company owns the building, said “it’s quite mad to be honest, to come down here and just to see all the crowds of people looking at the building.” “I definitely plan on keeping it on there and letting people enjoy it,” he said.