Vacy residents are upset three types of trees lining Gresford Road are being cut down to make way for a road upgrade.
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Dungog Shire Council is removing some mature trees along the one kilometre stretch so motorists can travel on wider lanes.
The narrow stretch has become a safety concern, and with more traffic passing through to access new subdivisions, the project has become a priority.
Infrastructure and assets executive manager Steve Hitchens said the Gresford Road upgrade could not take place without removing some of the trees.
Joe Thompson's home backs onto the stretch and several trees near his home will be lost.
He is worried the loss will change the character of the stretch and said several animals lived in the trees.
“There’s a number of fauna species that use those trees,” he said.
“The council identified squirrel gliders used the trees but we’ve seen a number of other fauna species that use that roadside corridor to live in.
“Cutting them down removes another little piece of the chain for those animals that move across the landscape.”
Mr Thompson said the council could have saved more trees if it amended its plan.
“Council could have changed their plans to retain as many trees on site as possible,” he said.
Mr Hitchens said the council was preserving as many trees as possible, but some had to go to make way for the upgrade.
“Whilst a guardrail will be installed or extended to protect mature trees where possible, the works will require the removal of some of the mature trees in the area to provide width for the road, table drains and required clear zones for road safety purposes,” he said.
The works include widening the pavement to allow for 3.5 metre travel lanes and installing a narrow sealed shoulder.
Mr Hitchens said the council hoped to finish the seal on the road by the end of may, weather permitting.
The council and RMS are paying for the work under the repair program.
