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Three of the trees under threat as part of the Department for Infrastructure's Flood Alleviation Scheme at Greenbank Industrial Estate in Newry can now be found on the Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Inventory. Two Common Oaks and a Sessile Oak are listed.
The DFI have stated that a number of trees will be felled to enable the flood alleviation scheme and local campaigners staged a protest at the site just over a week ago and gave potted acorns to those who turned up.
The campaign group RARE - Rostrevor Action Respecting the Environment in a post on their Facebook page on Saturday said "Last weekend they were on death row…majestic oak trees, planted to alleviate flooding more than 200 years ago, were on the eve of destruction, due to a Department for Infrastructure plan to…alleviate flooding!
"Fortunately, a powerful common sense campaign - with firm Newry roots and a fast growing canopy - has helped to stall the grim reaper.
The post continued "And yesterday, there was even better news. Three of the more than twenty Class A Newry Oaks were registered as Notable Trees in the The Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Inventory.
"The Newry Oaks and hope for their future keeps on growing!"
Campaigners also voiced their concerns that some of the trees have mesh on them covering potential bat or bird nesting locations. Large amounts of litter were also uncovered at the area.
