A nature reserve in Retford has suffered hundreds of pounds worth of damage after vandals destroyed a large amount of purposely planted trees.
22 cricket bat willows have been ruined at the Idle Valley Nature Reserve in North Road which cost around £400.
Staff and volunteers at Nottinghamshire Wildife Trust have been left angry after the trees - which can be used to make cricket bats - were destroyed and may not be able to be replaced.
Explaining the costs involved, the trust's head of communications Erin McDaid said: “We were very excited to plant the cricket bat willows last April and this was only possible thanks to our partnership with Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts and Oaks Restaurant.
"Their support enabled us to create a great new landscape feature and an opportunity to generate income from the sale of timber in the future.
"The vandalism we’ve seen in recent weeks means that around £400 worth of trees have been ruined and with the time and effort taken in planting them and specialist pruning, we estimate that the cost of the damage is at least £1,000."
Plans are in place to try and sort a replacement for the trees but it could be a costly exercise.
Mr McDaid added: "We’re determined to replant the trees at some stage but it would probably have to wait until next year now meaning we’ll have lost two years of growth and may now lose the opportunity of future income running into thousands of pounds.”
The vandalism has also sparked an outcry of outrage on social media.
"We noticed that they had basically been snapped right through," posted one unhappy comment on Facebook.
"What a shame. And WHY would people do that?"
Another added: "Such a shame that there is always the few that have no respect for anything."
The incident has been reported to police who are investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 18000029234.
Fundraising is ongoing and anyone wishing to make a general donation towards the work at Idle Valley Nature Reserve can do so here.