An Auckland MP says he's prepared to help protesters block council chainsaws from chopping down historic pohutukawa trees for a roadway.

Auckland Transport wants to remove six 80-year-old trees to widen Great North Road.

Mt Albert MP David Shearer says there are alternative options - but Auckland Transport's ignoring them.

He says locals are outraged.

"We've got a little way to go yet before they're legally allowed to take the chainsaws out, but if it comes to that, I think there'll be locals, and I'll certainly be amongst them, who'll be prepared to go down there and stand in front of those trees and try and save them."