Trees in Oxford's main shopping street would block CCTV camera coverage, according to police.
Cllr Susanna Pressel, Labour city councillor for West ward, has suggested the planting of a number of trees in Cornmarket S treet.
Her proposal is opposed by Thames Valley Police, who believe trees would be a security problem.
Insp Keith Henderson, of Oxford police, said: "While we accept the principle that trees are aesthetically pleasing in any environment, we have reservations about placing them in the Cornmarket area as they may screen criminal activities from CCTV cameras."
The city and council councils are planning a revamp costing more than £2m to repave the whole street and improvement work is expected to start later this year.
Cllr Pressel is urging people in Oxford to lobby county councillors on the issue because the county is taking charge of the project in its role as highways authority.
She said, "During the consultation process, 50 people were asked for their views and 44 said they would like to see some trees in Cornmarket - even though there weren't any questions about trees."
The county council's assistant director of transport development, Eddie Luck, said all views were being considered but thought trees would not be included in the final scheme.
The city council's project manager, Amanda Morrison, said trees could encourage groups of people to loiter around them.
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