Angry locals have accused the council of “ruining” the appearance of their historic market town by sawing off the tops of over 20 trees, in a bid to save cash. Residents say the extreme pruning looks like ‘vandalism’, and are worried that it will impact birds, wildlife and tourism in the area. Video (click to play above) shows the before and after of the lime trees that line the high street in Henley-in-Arden, Warks - which has angered residents and shop owners.
Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Peterborough Telegraph, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. Resident Roger Cooper, 75, said: “The beautiful lime trees are a delight to the eye and absorb the carbon dioxide from traffic to make the High Street a special place for residents and visitors. The trees look as if they have been vandalised.
” A small team of arboriculturalists in harnesses, seen in the video, spent several days sawing off the tops of the 50ft tall trees. Warwickshire Council Council say the pollarding work was carried out to save money due to their “very limited budget”. Alan Parker, 50, who has lived along the road for five years, said it the first time he has seen them cut back to this extent.
He said: “They’ve butchered the trees beyond all recognition. I just can't understand how they get away with it and just at a time when wildlife and birds are thriving. The environmental impact is terrible and God knows what visitors think when they see the.
