Nesting birds may have been harmed when two trees were felled without warning, nature lovers have claimed.

But Haringey Council said it timed the felling of the two cypress trees outside Hornsey Library last Tuesday (March 28) to avoid nesting season – and the ageing trees were causing other problems.

Fury erupted on social media after the trees were felled, with some claims that birds were nesting in them.

Elizabeth St Clair, who lives facing the trees in Haringey Park, queried whether the council might have broken the law.

She said: "There were nesting jays in there and wood pigeons who were trying so hard to get into the top of the tree repeatedly whilst they were lopping the lower branches off.

"I never saw anybody in harness gear going to the top of the tree to check nests. The only guy in harness gear was the one with a handheld chainsaw.”

Ham & High: Elizabeth St Clair claims Jays were nesting in a Cypress tree chopped down by Haringey CouncilElizabeth St Clair claims Jays were nesting in a Cypress tree chopped down by Haringey Council (Image: Elizabeth St Clair)

Some living nearby said they had not received any letters notifying them of the work.

Ms St Clair said: "It is so sad. The lack of notification, community engagement and concern for wildlife has been lamentable."

She said there was "no dialogue, no consultation, no warning, no letters to residents, no public notices, no discussion".

"This was just imposed," she added.

Susan Jones said: "They didn’t let anyone know because they didn’t want anyone to have time to object.

Ham & High: The cypress trees outside Hornsey library in June 2022The cypress trees outside Hornsey library in June 2022 (Image: Google)

"It’s also an absolute joke that Haringey council declared a climate emergency years ago. 

"I was there in the viewing gallery when it was decided. Since then they have chopped down far more trees than they have planted."

Haringey Council did not say why residents were not notified, nor whether it had broken any laws.

It said the trees will be replaced by mature liquidambar deciduous trees – a variety of gum tree.

Ham & High: A mature cypress tree was felled by Haringey Council which said the roots were affecting Hornsey Library - but did not notify residents of its planA mature cypress tree was felled by Haringey Council which said the roots were affecting Hornsey Library - but did not notify residents of its plan (Image: Elizabeth St Clair)

Haringey this week announced that it is "on track to plant 1,500 trees this year.

A spokesperson said the work was undertaken to "avoid the nesting season" and that Hornsey Library Square has been closed for some time due to damage to paving caused in part by tree roots.  

They added: “The conifers have thin crowns, dead foliage, are impeding other planting and dieback has been observed, which has led to their decline and could ultimately cause a danger.”

They added that heavy shading from the evergreen trees was affecting the efficiency of the library’s solar panels.