``It's very disappointing and I was in shock,'' Mr Azzopardi said.

``It was very brazen. The trees were part of the family.

``We went on holidays for one week and when we came back last Sunday they were dead.

``The soil and everything around it had been tampered with. I'm still in shock.''

To the untrained eye, the trees are a visual delight and source of valuable shade in summer.

For Mr Azzopardi and his wife Anettand their daughters Isadora, 4, and Violetta, 2 they are the jewel in their garden's crown.

They also have sentimental value.

Mr Azzopardi, who has a horticultural background, said: ``I was very proud of the trees.

``I grew them myself from seeds five years ago and watched them develop.

``It's a quiet area and we all get along with our neighbours so we're confused.

``When we moved in here there was nothing and we did everything from scratch so it leaves a bad taste in the mouth.''

Isadora, 4, summed up best everybody's reaction: ``Why are the trees dead?''

That's what we're all asking.

Have any plants or trees on your property been vandalised? Tell us.