Walsall Arboretum to destroy 368 trees

More than 350 trees will be destroyed at Walsall Arboretum for health and safety reasons - 100 more than expected.

An online campaign has now been launched to stop the work, which will form part of the park's £7.9 million revamp.

The destruction has been called an "act of vandalism" that will destroy the habitat of thousands of birds and animals.

A planning application to remove them said the 368 trees needed to be removed because of health and safety reasons and to allow the transformation of the park to go ahead.

"Tree planting in the Arboretum has not been carried out to an overall best practice tree programme, resulting in mature trees that are planted at inappropriate locations, or where inappropriate species types have been selected," it said.

"The aim of the overall tree works programme is to provide a balance of young and mature tree stock which can be enjoyed by both current and future visitors."

The Express & Star reported last month that 4,000 fruit trees are to be planted in Walsall Arboretum Extension, a section of the park which housed the Grange Golf Course before it closed and is home to lots of wildlife.

The council hopes to harvest the fruits and distribute the juices to Walsall schools.

The masterplan for the park includes a new visitors' centre, and changing rooms for water sports. Refurbishments of the bandstand and boathouse are planned and all work is expected to be finished by 2013.

Work on a new skate park and multi-use sports area has begun at the park.

Councillor Anthony Harris, cabinet member for leisure, culture and environment, said today: "There are around 2,200 trees within the historic core of the park.

"The management of the trees will result in a significantly improved park for future generations to enjoy."