A construction firm decided to spray paint withered trees located in their building site in Turkey's western resort town of Bodrum.

The firm started constructing 80 villas in Bitez district and rooted out 45 pine, eucalyptus and acacia trees to be re-planted to a forestation site where excavation was also being dumped.

After two weeks, trees started to dry up, and the firm decided to spray paint the trees green just four days ago. Locals notified the Bodrum representative of the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA) about the incident, who arrived at the scene on Tuesday with three other volunteers.

Construction firm officials stated that they had received the necessary permission to cut the trees within the construction site, but they later decided to plant them somewhere else instead. They added that they painted the trees green in order not to draw harsh reaction from locals.

TEMA representative said that the firm agreed to plant new trees to replace the dried ones. Bodrum's forest directorate is also expected to carry out an inspection at the construction site.