A PRANKSTER who plants ash saplings in people's gardens at the dead of night is causing a stir in the village of Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells.

The first tiny trees appeared in Heron's Way last week, when more than a dozen turned up as householders slept.

Since then, homes in nearby The Gill have been treated to free trees. And in all about 100 have appeared around the neighbourhood.

Each tree is properly rooted and appears to have been nursery grown. Each has been carefully dug in, and wind and rain has failed to deter whoever is responsible.

Parish clerk Barbara Russell said: "It's all a bit bizarre. Quite why anyone would want to do this, we don't know, but they're obviously going to a lot of trouble to avoid discovery.

"One person I talked to hadn't gone to bed until 1.30am, but when they got up again a few hours later and looked out of a window, there was a tree that hadn't been there before."

The saplings have caused both amusement and annoyance, with some seeing it as a practical joke while others believe it is an intrusion.

Muriel Smith, from The Gill, wondered if it was the work of fairies, and said: "Maybe the little people have come."

But Geoff Hooker, of Heron's Way, who was among the first to find a surprise sapling planted in his garden, said: "In your own private garden and without permission it was a bit naughty.

"Ash trees grow quite large and where they were planted they would be directly in front of windows, which is not really acceptable."

Mr Hooker counted 15 rogue trees while walking to the post office. Two were in his own garden.

He said: "They were very small - barely two or three foot high - but had been planted in such a way that they had brought out some bulbs I'd planted. I asked all my neighbours about it, but they'd seen and heard nothing."

Daniel Docker, tree officer at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said: "It's refreshing to see someone planting trees rather than what we all too often see, which is people wanting to take them out.

"But you do have to be prudent when you plant them because you do have to put them in the right place. Ash trees can grow to between 100 and 140 feet and do so relatively quickly."

He added: "You do need the agreement of the owner, and it's very important that they're not planted in a postition that would cause any damage or any risk to health and safety."

A Police spokesman said: "Two residents of the area contacted us on Sunday to report that trees had been planted in their and their neighbours’ gardens.

"As yet we do not know where the trees have come from because they have not been reported to us as missing or stolen. We are aware that not everyone will want to keep the tree in their garden and The Woodland Trust have kindly offered to help in ensuring the trees can be replanted.

"Local publican James Cunningham, of The Camden Arms, has agreed that his pub car park can be used as a collection point for any unwanted trees.

Clive Steward of the Woodland Trust said: "Planting trees is a wonderful thing - but in the right place. Unwanted gifts are all to easily thrown away. We're delighted to be able to help, so please don't discard the plants.

"Dig them out carefully, gently knock off excess soil and wrap the roots in a plastic bag to keep them moist. Any that are left at the Camden Arms Public House, High Street, Pembury on Monday 9 February at 12.30 pm will be given a beautiful new home in a stunning ancient wood, Hucking Estate.

"If whoever is planting the trees would like to contact the Woodland Trust, we can offer advice about when, where and how to plant trees in future.

"It doesn't help the environment's cause if people are angered by inappropriate tree-planting."

Sgt Simon Terry, of Community Crime Reduction, said: “I am sure whoever is behind this initiative is very well intentioned but they may not realise that not everyone will appreciate their efforts. If anyone has any idea who might be responsible for the planting we would be very pleased to hear from them.”

The West Kent Police Crime Reduction Department can be contacted on 01732 370677.