Tree pits are found sealed with cement to curb airborne dust in Shangqiu City, Central China's Henan Province. [Photo/weibo]

Authorities in Shangqiu City, Central China's Henan Province, have promised to move cement that had been dumped to seal tree pits in order to curb airborne dust, Chinese language newspaper The Mirror reported on Monday.

After pictures of the trees were posted on the Twitter-like Weibo, they immediately provoked strong opposition from netizens.

"It's unbearable even to have a look at them," commented one netizen, nicknamed chongchongtegongdui123. "The trees would die from the heat."

"Trees also need to breathe. Please give them a chance to stay alive," said one netizen nicknamed huatuo123.

Publicity officials in Shangqiu said that the city's Liangyuan District would work throughout the night to move the cement and save the trees.