Trees in the cities of the UK are feeling the cutting edge of the latest communications boom. Tree roots are being severed as cable companies dig trenches along an estimated 80 km of streets a day to feed the insatiable public appetite for new television channels.

Environmental groups like the Tree Council and Friends of the Earth fear that unless the reckless mechanical trenching practices change, the trees may be fatally wounded. According to experts, the use of shovels in the vicinity of trees offer some hope, but the catch is to persuade the TV companies.