PICTURED: '˜Why are they being so brutal with our trees in Milton Keynes?' Ruthlessness leaves nature lovers stumped

Nature lovers are stumped as to why healthy trees have been 'ruthlessly' chopped to mere stumps around Central Milton Keynes.
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Last week dozens of trees around North Seventh Street were hacked or felled completely, while shrubs were cut back to ground level.

“I don’t understand why they have to be so brutal about it. This is not pruning – it’s absolute sabotage,” said one reader.

Some shoppers and residents have confronted the contractors about their actions in the ‘city of trees’.

They were told they are “thinning out the canopy” so other trees can grow better. The contractors also say the shrubs will grow back.

“Some will, but most won’t as they are not meant to be pruned so severely... They will never recover so what was the point of leaving them like this?” said one protestor.

Both Milton Keynes Council and the Parks Trust have denied responsibility for the mass chop back.

It is believed the work could be linked to the redevelopment of the nearby YMCA building.

The project, to be completed in 2019, will result in 196 new units of accomodation for young people in need.

Meanwhile people living in nearby houses are being exposed to road noise that the trees used to alleviate.

They are also complaining of security risks because the trees formed a barrier against thieves entering the rear of their properties.

The Parks Trust looks after trees in most of Milton Keynes, but landscaping in the CMK acrea is largely down to MK Council.

A council spokesman said the tree felling was not carried out by their contractors.