A COUPLE who wanted to fell three trees in their garden say they feel "betrayed" by a tree surgeon whose actions triggered tree preservation orders to be placed on them.

But tree surgeon Gareth Healey, of Ambleside, claims he was merely acting "professionally" and believed the trees should not have been cut down.

"Whenever I am working with trees of a prominent nature I have to consult the relevant authority, it is a legal obligation.

There are not many mature trees like these in Ambleside and it is totally right that they have been preserved," said Mr Healey.

Ambleside guest house owners David and Susan Evans had asked Mr Healey, of Nomad Tree Services, for an estimate for felling the 70ft sycamore and beech trees.

Mrs Evans told the Gazette that slippy leaves and falling branches from the trees which overhang their driveway, were putting their guests' safety at risk.

But a week later the couple, who have owned the Redbank Guest House on Wansfell Road for two years, received news of the tree preservation order made by the Lake District National Park Authority on all the trees.

Mr Evans said: "Mr Healey should have told us on principle that he did not want to chop them down when he came to do the estimate.

I feel that he has broken our trust."

LDNPA landscape officer Iona MacDonald said: "In this case we were contacted by the tree surgeon who wanted to know whether a tree preservation order already existed.

We informed him that there wasn't one but, following a site visit, we decided one should be put in place.

These trees are a particularly outstanding feature of the road."

She added: "We work very closely with local tree surgeons.

It is in their interests to ensure no orders are in place before they chop anything down as they would be liable to pay a hefty fine."

Mr and Mrs Evans considered legal action and visited Hayton and Winkley solicitors in Kendal to establish whether breach of client confidentiality had taken place, but could not find any legal grounds for action.

They will now appeal to the LDNPA.