Auckland residents hell bent on saving a clutch of pohutukawa trees from the axe of Auckland Transport, are promising a long and arduous fight.

Concerned locals attended a community liaison meeting in Western Springs last night, but were stonewalled in attempts to discuss the fate of the six trees on Great North Road.

Their spot, opposite MOTAT, is wanted for road-widening.

Pippa Coom, Waitemata Local Board deputy chair, says the road ahead will be tough, and by no means straightforward.

"I think Auckland Transport ideally would like to be chopping the trees down at Easter, but there's going to be a drawn out process."

Coom says things got rather testy, with a lot of disagreements.

"You had a lot of people showing up who really wanted to voice their opposition to the trees removed and you have Auckland Transport who are digging in their heels."

Pippa Coom says the local board has yet to give its consent to the move, and once Auckland Transport formally gives the nod to axe the trees, an appeal will be lodged.