Residents near a group of historic British parks have warned the area is now resembling a graveyard because metal memorial plaques keep being placed on trees.
Hundreds of plaques have been placed on trees across beautiful parks in Scotland’s capital Edinburgh.
Some of the plaques, including in Princes Street Gardens and The Meadows, have even been accompanied by home-made displays.
The nameplates have been installed through a scheme where donors contribute towards the planting and upkeep of trees.
Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh
PA
Edinburgh City Council pledged to carry out a review following complaints by local residents.
The local council is working in partnership with Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust and Woodland Trust Scotland to run the so-called Tree Time scheme.
People can pay between £20 and £5,000 under the pilot project to sponsor existing or new trees.
A personalised plaque is nailed on the tree in recognition of the donation.
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Parks across Edinburgh have been putting up plaques
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The Friends of The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links, which was founded in 1920, aims to help protect the historic park but has voiced its opposition to the plaques on trees.
Convener Jim Orr told the BBC: "It harms the trees and causes litter. The trees are there for everyone, not for individuals."
Local resident Malcolm Webster, 72, added: "I don't want to feel like I'm in a graveyard when I'm walking through The Meadows.
"Quite soon I will be looking at the cherry blossom, and I don't want to be looking at every tree with a plaque on it reminding me that somebody has died.
Residents near a historic British park have warned the area is now resembling a graveyard
PA
"If you go through a graveyard you know what to expect but I don't want to see that when I walk through The Meadows."
However, Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust spokesman Richard Darke claimed it made about £50,000 a year from the scheme.
He added: "Some people are delighted they can adopt a tree in a place they have a connection.
"It is a balance though and we do acknowledge that it's maybe reached its capacity now in The Meadows."
Edinburgh is a historical city PAVal Walker, City of Edinburgh Council's culture and communities convener, stressed the scheme will come under review.
She said: "A part of this scheme allows residents to adopt a tree in order to commemorating a loved one's life, marking a child's birth, or celebrating a special anniversary or milestone.
"Adoption of an existing tree or contributing towards the cost of planting a new tree is marked with a personalised plaque."
Walker added: "However, we recognise that there is concern about the manner in which these plaques are attached to trees, and we'll be looking into this in further detail.
"We'll also be reviewing how we address other homemade memorial displays that appear in our parks.
"We're committed to making sure that everyone can enjoy our parks in a safe and respectful way."
