'Callous' removal of tributes to felled trees

CAMPAIGNERS are outraged after children’s poignant artwork was removed from the scene of Plymouth city centre’s tree-felling and have branded the culprit “callous” and “disgusting”.

- WILLIAM TELFORD

Hundreds of people turned up in Armada Way on Saturday to “grieve” for the 110 trees chopped down by Plymouth City Council.

Many left messages, wrote on the pavement, laid flowers, or tied coloured ribbons to the fencing in front of the felled trees. Some people created artwork and attached it to the fences.

Much of it was by children. Messages left included: “Sorry you’re gone”, “I love trees”, “Sorry for being chopped down”, and “We miss our trees, we want them back”.

But on Sunday morning, much of it had been removed, including a number of pictures drawn or painted by children. Alison White, founder of action group Straw (Save the Trees of Armada Way) called whoever did this “callous” and “disgusting”.

It is not known who removed the artworks, or why. The Herald has asked Plymouth City Council if it was responsible, or knows anything about it, but has not yet had an answer.