Council officials have been accused of "butchering" more than 20 trees that line a historic market town in a bid to save money.<br /><br />Lime trees growing either side of High Street in Henley-in-Arden, Warks., had their tops hacked off without notice leaving locals “devastated”.<br /><br />A small team of arboriculturalists in harnesses spent several days sawing off the tops of the 50ft tall trees.<br /><br />Warwickshire Council Council say the pollarding work was carried out to save money due to their “very limited budget”.<br /><br />Local residents have accused the council of “ruining” the appearance of the historic market town with the extreme pruning.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />He said: “They’ve butchered the trees beyond all recognition.<br /><br />“I just can't understand how they get away with it and just at a time when wildlife and birds are thriving.<br /><br />“The trees are home to squirrels birds and beautiful butterflies because of all the vegetation.<br /><br />“The environmental impact is terrible and God knows what visitors think when they see the state of them.”<br /><br />The trees have lined the High Street for over a century and are a focal point for both locals and tourists.<br /><br />Business owner Amy Graham, 45, who runs a florist in the town, said: “Everyone was gutted when they saw the trees had been hacked down to their stumps.<br /><br />“We all understand the need for pruning but this was extreme and done, supposedly, to save a few quid because the council didn’t want to pay to have it done now and then again in the winter. <br /><br />“These trees bring people here, they help tourism. Visitors love the trees and take pictures of them and then spend money and time in the town.<br /><br />“Who would want to come to Henley now to take a selfie next to an ugly stump?” <br /><br />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.<br /><br />“Imagine the shock to find that the council has pollarded the trees in July, when they are at their best.<br /><br />“The trees look as if they have been vandalised.<br /><br />“It is not the right time of year to pollard. The right time is autumn or spring and this should have been done then.<br /><br />“To do it now will stress the trees and open the risk of insect infestation.<br /><br />“In addition the trees will not now absorb carbon dioxide from the traffic on this busy road.”<br /><br />Warwickshire Council Council said the trees have been pollarded, which involves removing the upper branches of a tree, aiming to promote the growth of a dense head of foliage and branches.
