HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Members of the Huntington Urban Forestry Committee opposed the city's decision to saw down an entire row of old trees along 7th Ave.

A big, dead tree still stands at the corner of 7th St. and 7th Ave. in Huntington. It is the only one, dead or alive, anywhere in sight.

Courtney Proctor Cross, head of the Urban Forestry Committee said she's in a state of anger and disbelief over Mayor David Felinton's decision to take down six large trees outside the Cabell Huntington Health Department.

The committee was created last year as an advisory panel on all things green. When a property owner wants a tree cut down on a city right-of-way, the committee gets a call to check it out.

That's what happened with the trees outside the Health Department, but the final decision was to take down all the trees.

Stan Mills, Program Manager of Environmental Health for the Health Department, said several of the trees were in bad shape.

One was damaging a wall, and two gum trees dropped spiky seedlings that made it tough for older folks and people with disabilities to get by

The Health Department's argument was good enough to sway the mayor's opinion, even though the committee said until this point, he has always taken their advice.

The Health Department has promised 15 new trees.