Dozens of sapling trees and flowers have been chopped down in error by council staff at a beauty spot in Caversham.
Bugs Bottom is a nature park that is well-used by neighbours for exercise such as cycling and dog walking.
Due to it already being a natural green space, it has been identified for tree planting and rewilding by Reading Borough Council.
However, a blunder by council grounds maintenance staff led to an estimated loss of 30-60 tree saplings.
The matter was investigated by councillor Dave McElroy, who served as the Green MP candidate for Reading Central at the 2024 general election, following complaints by neighbours.
The council has since visited the site, estimating that 30-60 of those originally planted have been affected.
Cllr McElroy (Green, Redlands) said: “This is frustrating as it’s not the first time it has happened. Back in 2019 the council did the same thing to about 800 saplings in Palmer Park, with the council representative at the time saying that the important thing here is that lessons are learned. What lessons?
“Greens have been working with the council to understand how this has happened again and have called for the trees to be replanted.
“They’ve told us they don’t believe that this exact spot has the right soil conditions for more trees but are looking at other options and species to plant in Bugs Bottom.
“We’ll be keeping up the pressure to make sure this happens and isn’t just quietly forgotten.
“Anyone interested in helping out with the replanting effort should get in touch with me at dave@readinggreenparty.org.uk”
The council has since apologised for the accident.
A spokesperson said: “The council apologises for the error which saw a number of whips, or saplings, accidentally cut during mowing as part of scheduled management of the rewilded area in Bugs Bottom.
“The whips had integrated well into the biodiverse landscape of the area and were not easily visible to the driver and were inadvertently cut down.
“It is because of their very nature and vulnerability as a small sapling that the council seeks to limit the practice of planting whips and never includes the planting of whips in any annual tree count increases.
“Officers have already met with local Tree Wardens and volunteers and are working closely to put right the error made by identifying further rewilding opportunities, and ensure appropriate replacement trees are planted to enhance the area’s biodiversity.
“The Council works passionately, including alongside volunteer groups at Bugs Bottom and other areas of Reading, to support and increase both rewilding and tree planting.
“This has resulted recently in an increase to over 50 hectares of the borough being adopted as conservation wildflower and grassland areas for rewilding, and over 300 new trees being planted each year as part of the Council’s tree planting strategy.”
Bugs Bottom was selected for tree planting by The Conservation Volunteers Woodland Improvement Team using funding provided by Network Rail in 2020, with an estimated 300 young saplings planted in the area.
