Scores of newly planted trees in a Glasgow park have already been vandalised.
King's Park near Rutherglen recently saw 1500 trees planted in what council chiefs believe would help sustain local wildlife and also improve the overall park.
But just days after the trees were placed, 200 of them have been destroyed in what Glasgow City Council say was deliberate vandalism.
Despite the project being carried out alongside local green group, Friends of King's Park, Lanarkshire Live was contacted by locals who felt the trees would take away walking routes and open greenspace in the park.
One local, who contacted us before any damage had occurred, had raised concerns about the project.
They told us : "I take my dog for a walk to King's Park most days and on top of the hill there is a wide open field with beautiful views across the city and on to the Campsies.
"It's a peaceful place much loved by locals, dog walkers and by families in the summer months.
"Earlier this week I arrived only to find that the entire open field had been covered with rows of sapling trees, which means that one of the few open fields in the area has effectively disappeared overnight.
"Nothing had been posted in the sign post at the entrance to the park, so many regular users of the park had no idea this was happening.
"The crazy thing is, parts of the park that are neglected and overgrown with weeds - such as the slope at the entrance to the park at Menock Road - would have been perfect for planting trees, but they remain untouched.
"It's just the area most used by visitors to the park that was planted with trees. "
However, Glasgow City Council insist they did consult locals on the project and that they are disappointed in the vandalism occurring so quickly.
A council spokesman said: "King’s Park was identified as a location for tree planting after we were contacted by the local community group, Friends of King’s Park, who are dedicated to improving the area.
"With funding support and assistance from 40 local volunteers, 1500 new trees have been planted in the park as part of wider plans to support the city’s biodiversity and mitigate the impact of climate change.
"New paths have been installed within the area where tree planting has taken place and these paths have helped to create a connection to open grassland within the park.
"Many of the existing trees in the park are reaching an age when they will start to decline and recent planting, which includes 30 different species of trees, will help to sustain tree cover in the park.
"As well as sustaining habitats for local wildlife, we hope the new trees will become a place for local residents to enjoy with exercise within woodland areas being found to highly beneficial for well-being.
"The significant and concerted vandalism that has destroyed 200 new trees in the park is therefore deeply regrettable.
"This criminal destruction of a local environment has been reported to the police and we urge anyone with information on those responsible to contact the police."
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