It's not often that Macksville residents make a noise about something, but this morning they came out in force to have their voices heard.
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About 60 people rallied under the trees on River St in a show of support for the shady canopy above their heads.
"We are here to speak for the trees," Mary Gibson said.
"They are old and precious - there is nothing wrong with maturity! I've lived here for 45 years and have so many good memories of times shared under these trees."
For someone like Kerry Sanders, who is wheelchair-bound, the riverbank under the trees is somewhere she can go easily.
"The access is easy here so it is somewhere I come to," Kerry said.
"It is a focal point for the community. And on Mondays a little tour bus with international travellers stops here for lunch.
"I have met Germans and Dutch and so many more, and we can sit together and watch the dolphins ... you can't pay for advertising like that!"
Cally Haase was born and bred in Macksville and 37 years later she often brings her children Ari, Duke and Ike to play on the riverbank.
"These trees make Macksville - they are beauty, they are shade - I can't imagine the town without them."
Five-year-old Ari made sure she signed a petition.
"I like playing here - the trees are shady," she said.
Mary Forbes was the star of the show with her articulate defence of the trees - watch her speak below:
Crs Janine Reed and Susan Jenvey also came along to listen to people and gauge the mood of the crowd.
"I feel it was responsible of council to get a report on the health of the trees and the councillors were quick to recognise the need to consult with the community on this," Cr Reed said.
"We need to plan for the future ... if we can find a way to plant now so established trees can take over when the time comes that would be good.
"It's good to see this crowd - it's good to see this being discussed."
Related: The tale of Big Jim and the trees
Cr Jenvey said she came to listen and offer support.
"The amenity of these trees cannot be underestimated. I think it was wise to get a report and now we are listening to the concerns," Cr Jenvey said.
Signatures on petitions were gathered - 300 people have signed up so far.