Mark Helsloot climbed about ten metres into a tree at the Elswout estate in Overveen and stayed in a hammock to protest plans to cut down around 50 trees along the Melklaan. The forestry authority says the trees are being removed because storms damaged the avenue and the remaining trees no longer form a recognizable historic lane; new avenue trees will be planted and the path restored, with the work expected to finish in March.

Helsloot, a tree caretaker, said the trees are about 80 years old and healthy and that the avenue could instead be restored by planting young trees between them. A petition opposing the felling has been signed nearly 2,000 times. He planned to remain in the tree through the weekend but said he would not return to it when chainsaw crews were due to arrive on Tuesday, because he did not want the protest to become violent.