A West Cork artist and filmmaker has expressed her outrage over the cutting of 50 Hawthorn trees down to their very stumps.

Toma McCullim posted her comments online after discovering that an entire hawthorn hedgerow was severely hacked at Goleen Marsh.

The trees were over 100 years old and lined the walkway to a graveyard, she said.

Toma has called on people to speak up and complain wherever such devastation is caused.

‘We need real protection for hedgerows and mature trees. They are our heart and blood – our living environment – and we’re seeing more and more of this destruction happening with zero accountability’ she said.

The post has inspired members of the community to speak out, both publicly expressing their sentiments online, and approaching Toma privately.

‘There’s so many people reaching out me saying they’re so upset, asking what can we do to save our remaining trees?’ Toma said.

Online, locals are sharing similar stories of wildlife destruction in their area.Hawthorn trees and hedgerows provide habitats for nesting birds, invertebrates and small mammal species.

Their flowers provide pollen for bees and other pollinators and their red fruits are eaten by birds, which further disperse the seeds.

Hawthorn trees are famous in Irish mythology as the ‘fairy tree’ and the cutting down of a hawthorn brings bad luck.

Toma is of the opinion that a wider conversation needs to be held about wildlife and heritage conservation on our roads.

She urged people to report hedgerow destruction to the relevant authorities, and to contact their local TDs to advocate for enforceable hedgerow protections.

Toma says the removal of the trees is a truly sad occasion: ‘Never in my life time am I going to see those hawthorn trees again,’ she told The Southern Star.