The trees will stay. Atlanta's Tree Conservation Commission voted Wednesday evening against Lenox Square mall's request to cut down five willow oak trees along Peachtree Road as part of its outdoor makeover.

"I can't imagine the justification for taking them out now," said commission member Kevin Curry.

A city arborist denied the mall's request last December. The mall appealed the decision. The mall also plans to remove two other willow oaks, but they are not under the commission's purview.

Lenox Square officials said the trees blocked some motorists' view of its electronic billboard.

The Buckhead Community Improvement District has plans to remove one dozen other willow oaks in front of the mall and plant 20 along Peachtree Road as part of a $40 million road improvement project. Mall officials thought the community group's project was a good opportunity to make some changes —- which included removing the trees.

However, the two sides have been negotiating over right-of-way for seven months and haven't reached an agreement. Without the right-of-way agreement, the community group can't plant any new willow oaks.

Some area residents asked the commission to wait until the deal between Lenox and the Community Improvement District is done before approving any tree removal.

"Leave them in place. There's no urgency," said Gordon Certain, president of the North Buckhead Civic Association.

Mall officials said they needed to get the project done as soon as possible because its ownership company included money for the project in its current budget cycle, which soon ends.

Lenox has budgeted $650,000 for a landscaping plan according to paperwork filed as part of its request. Lenox Square officials said the mall has fallen behind other area shops and hotels. The plans include 77 new trees on the parking lot, checkered pavers and antique-style lamp posts.

"It's all about stepping up to people's expectations," mall executive Dewayne Herbert said in an interview Wednesday.

Commission member William Fuller, however, was focused on the matter of the trees and the billboard.

"If these trees remain, will no one ever find Lenox Square?," he asked.

Replied arborist Frank Mobley, "I have no idea."