SEVERAL trees planted by local conservationist Ray Thomas and other environmentally motivated individuals around Euroa have been found dead, with suggestions being made that their demise was caused deliberately.

Precise, circular saw markings around the trunks of the trees, a process known as ring–barking, can be found on nearly all of the dead trees, along with evidence that the weed–killer 'round up' has been used too.

Mr Thomas, and several other like–minded Euroa locals, have regularly planted trees across town, making a particular effort not to place them in intrusive locations.

"I really make sure that the trees are planted in areas where they won't inconvenience people," he said.

"I can understand people being upset if their view of the creek is blocked or if they are planted too close to a path or road.

"I've made an effort to do this with every tree planted but it hasn't seemed to matter."

The trees vary in age and location, with Mr Thomas saying that he is finding more dead trees every day.

"It doesn't seem to matter where I go, I'm finding these trees dead," he said.

"Myself and others are going out to water these trees and it's terrible what we're finding.

"Most recently, I found a four year old banksia that had been ringbarked and had round–up placed on it just across from the tennis courts.

"This isn't an easy tree to replace due to its age."

Mr Thomas regularly runs programs with local school children, teaching them about the positives of conservation and the local fauna and flora.

Now he is concerned that these programs may all be in vain, with worries that silver banksias planted by the students may be the next trees targeted.

"It's something I don't want to tell the children about," he said.

"I want them to still feel positive about what they are doing."

Mr Thomas expressed his disappointment with what is happening, hoping that something can be done to prevent it in the future.

"It's very sad and hard to understand," he said.

"From what I see it is clearly malicious behaviour."