The large tree, thought to be at least a hundred years old, in Hamble Road, Tonbridge has been ordered for removal by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council.
However horrified residents discovered this afternoon (Monday) that work had already commenced on the removal of the tree. Although KCC have not announced whether they plan to remove the whole tree, local residents expect the tree will be completely gone by Friday.
An emergency meeting was called this afternoon at the Tonbridge Tree-Huggers Society where members have agreed to tie themselves to the tree completely naked covering themselves only with the branches and leaves that have already been removed.
Other tree hugger societies from across the south east will be setting up camp on Hamble Road, surrounding themselves around the tree in order to prevent the council from destroying it any further.
RSPCP (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Plants) spokesman Roy Newbury said: "We legally cannot stop the local council from cutting down the tree. However we can bloody well protest about it!"
Throughout this week gatherings will take place around the tree from groups such as TTHS (Tonbridge Tree Huggers Society), RSPCP (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Plants) and KCEA (Kent County Environmental Activists). Members from these groups will be stationed around the tree 24/7 armed with water pistols and slingshots with scrunched up pieces of paper, and they will be protecting this tree with their lives.
KCC spokesman Richard Dunn said: "We are seriously reconsidering cutting this tree down. Truthfully the last thing we want is the Tonbridge Tree-Huggers Society tying themselves naked to a tree just to demonstrate a point.
"Kent has alot of tourism and if a protest of this nature goes forward, it could seriously damage the tourism which in turn would damage our wallets."
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| Hamble Road, Tonbridge - This tree is in serious danger from KCC! |
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