AMHERST - Large oaks are among 24 shade trees that might be cut down to make way for the reconstruction of the pothole-laden Sand Hill Road, a North Amherst street that some town officials have called the poster child for the poor state of town roads.

But Tree Warden Alan Snow, along with the Shade Tree Committee, is actively opposing any efforts to change the character of the one of the Amherst's most scenic roads.

"I want to see the road get fixed," said Snow, reached on his cell phone Tuesday. "I think it can be done in a way that trees don't get torn down."

The possible removal of the 24 trees as part of the resurfacing and widening, along with drainage work, will be the subject of a joint hearing by the Planning Board and tree warden tonight at 7:05 p.m. at the Town Room at Town Hall. The hearing is being held under the state's Scenic Roads Act and Shade Tree Act.

Snow said the designs prepared by the Department of Public Works, using the town's street and site construction standards, require an improved Sand Hill Road be built to a certain width and that portions of the road be realigned so the roadway is placed back on the public right of way and no longer drifts onto private property.

Hope Crolius, chairwoman of the Shade Tree Committee, said her committee voted unanimously against the tree cutting because, by their nature, scenic roads are supposed to be narrow and windy.

"To straighten it out or widen it will turn it into other than a scenic road," Crolius said. "Trees are absolutely appropriate on a scenic road."

Snow added that it makes no sense to remove the trees because they help to control the stormwater drainage.

The bulk of the trees that would be removed are at the Pine Street end of the road, where 13 trees, including 24-inch and 22-inch diameter oaks, would be removed between houses 7 and 16.

Other sections, where pitch pines, white pines, maples and more oaks would be removed, are primarily between houses 109 and 120.

Not allowing trees to be cut doesn't jeopardize the much needed improvements, Snow said. If he is joined by the Planning Board in not allowing the trees to be cut, Snow said the DPW will seek a waiver from the Select Board so that the project can be done with less intrusion.

In a memo to Planning Board members from Planning Director Jonathan Tucker, he writes that this is what will happen: "It is our understanding that DPW and the Public Works Committee would prefer to pursue an alternate design with less impact on the street trees and the character of this historic road, and will be seeking the Planning Board's support for that approach.

Town engineer Jason Skeels and civil engineer Paul Dethier are both expected to speak to the Planning Board about the project and what the next steps will be should a redesign be necessary.