Large, feature trees on the main street of Levin could be facing the chop.
The Horowhenua District Council wants to remove several of the 120-year-old notable London planes because they're damaging local businesses.
But not everyone's happy for them to go.
Lining the main drag in Levin, old London plane trees are starting to lose their street appeal.
"They've been here long enough now and it is time for change. We are the ones forking out to fix the issues," said local butcher Shane Saville.
Saville's butcher shop has flooded several times in the past few years due to leaves blocking drains.
And he's had to pick a couple of his elderly customers up off the pavement.
"We've had a couple of tumbles. Even the wheelchairs coming down here a bit of a jump."
Planted in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, 27 of the 38 trees have outstayed their welcome.
But as the trees are protected, the council requires resource consent to remove them.
"We've heard from the retailers, we've heard from them a number of times over the years. Some have told us they are struggling to get insurance because of the number of times they've flooded. This is the only avenue we can do to cut, and remove these trees," said district council group manager Brent Harvey.
The council is proposing to cut the trees off at the base and grind the stumps below the level of the asphalt. The asphalt would then be resealed and the space converted back into car parks.
But some locals Newshub spoke to want the trees to stay.
"They block the sun and give you a bit of shade. it would be a shame to see the trees go," said one local.
"They are a historical part of Levin and we've got to have some sort of historical things left in Levin otherwise we'll have nothing," said another.
Most retailers are not against the trees but say they are just the wrong trees, in the wrong place.
"The trees are beautiful, they are stunning but they do leave a mess over autumn and this time of year, they're bad for business," said local retailer Samantha Harris.
Submissions on the council's proposal to cut the trees down closed on Tuesday.
