THE National Trust has come under fire over tree felling work it is carrying out this week at the famous Badbury Rings avenue of trees, near Wimborne.

Seven beech trees are being axed for safety reasons while remedial work to remove dead wood is being carried out on a further 65 trees.

But the move has sparked anger from lovers of the popular landmark on the B3082, running through the Kingston Lacy estate.

A Corfe Mullen woman who declined to be named, said: "I would not have thought it was necessary if they had been prudent with their management of the trees in the first place.

"These trees are emotionally part of everyone's heritage around here."

And she said there were "huge gaps" in the row of new trees being planted behind the original avenue.

Of the 730 beech trees planted by the Bankes family in 1835, a total of 569 are still standing.

National Trust Park and Gardens Manager at Kingston Lacy Nigel Chalk said the trees only had a lifespan of between 150 and 200 years.

"They are reaching the ends of their natural lives. We do all we can to hang on to a tree for as long as we can by undertaking tree surgery to them, but eventually we have to make the decision to fell a whole tree.

"With a busy road running down the centre of the avenue and a hard winter predicted, we need to anticipate any tree falls," he said.

Mr Chalk accepted some saplings planted in the outer avenue had suffered due to the boring technique used but this had since changed.

During the felling, temporary traffic lights will be in operation.

The Trust anticipates similar work will be needed on more trees in future years.

First published: November 29, 2005