The contractors tasked with clearing trees at Perth Crematorium to make way for a new road have been told to preserve as many as possible, according to the council.
For this reason the council said it was unable to say how many trees will be lost during the work.
Tree felling began at the weekend, the first of four weekends over which the work will be carried out.
“The affected trees are mainly in the woodland area along the southern boundary and along the driveway,” said the council.
“There will also be some trimming of lower branches along the avenue within the crematorium grounds in preparation for a new overflow parking facility.”
The tree clearance is in order to construct a new boundary and access for Perth Crematorium which is part of the wider project to construct the A9/A85 junction improvement and link road to Bertha park.
The project also includes a new grade separated junction on the A9, and a new link road to Bertha Park.
The project is seen as vital in opening up areas of land for new development as part of Perth Transport Futures Project.
The crematorium tree felling will take place every weekend up to and including February 4 and 5.
On the Saturday and Sunday over these weekends the book of remembrance will be located at the North Inch Community Campus, Gowans Terrace, Perth.
The tree felling has angered many, including the Woodland Trust who say ancient woodland will be lost.
“According to Scottish Natural Heritage’s Ancient Woodland Inventory of Scotland the trees around Perth Crematorium constitute ancient woodland,” said a spokesperson.
“Ancient woodlands are now incredibly rare in Scotland and are hugely valuable.
“Although we welcome all woodland planting, the compensatory planting scheme will not come close to replacing the rich habitat that will be lost with this ancient woodland.”
