PITTSBURGH -- There’s tree trouble in Squirrel Hill. The city of Pittsburgh wants to cut down thousands of dead and dying trees, but homeowners want them to stay.

About 500 trees that line the streets of Squirrel Hill are getting the ax. In response, upset homeowners held a meeting Thursday night at the Children's Institute. They said cutting down the trees could cut their property values and air quality.

Resident Joyce Black said, "This meeting is too late for us, but we're hoping it's not for everyone else. You'll kill the trees when you remove them. You kill the quality of life and the health of the residents."

Pittsburgh Public Works Director Guy Costa said, "These trees, we're aware they're a liability. They could fall at any time so we have to remove them because we're now aware of a possible liability with them."

Pittsburgh Public Works said it will replace the trees it cuts down. The city said it wants to plant more than 4,000 trees now through 2011.