ENVIRONMENTALISTS and residents have criticised plans to plant almost 100 trees along the Edgware Road.

Barnet Council is in the final stages of a consultation for planting around 100 Dawn Redwoods along the road in a bid to improve the “street scene” and bring more greenery to the area.

However, campaigners say the choice of the tree is inappropriate as it is not a native species and will not encourage bio-diversity.

Myk Tucker, who lives in Hillesden Avenue off of Stonegrove at the north end of the road said: “There doesn't seem to have been any real consultation about this. I don't know anyone who has been asked their views.

“It seems a pity the officers at the council didn't fight more for the 200-year-old oaks around St Peter's Church in Stonegrove as they are going to hack the roots and cut the crowns to a shadow of their former glory for high-rise development.

“Where is the money to look after these trees going to come from? The Mayor of London's funding will stop in three years and there will be more cost for the council.”

The Dawn Redwood was only rediscovered in China in 1941, and grows to at least 200ft in height.

Dennis Pepper, from the Barnet branch of the London Wildlife Trust, said the council should be considering native species for the role.

He said: “These trees were only discovered a relatively short time ago, so they have not been tested in terms of long-term effects. For preference go for native trees which we know more about.

“Native trees obviously help to contribute towards bio-diversity by attracting insects and birds, but we don't know what effect these trees will have.

“These trees seem to have been picked more for their amenity value then environmental impact.”