Groening has objected to a proposal by a fellow resident of Santa Monica, California to fell four ancient pines close to his home.

The plans have riled a number of neighbours in the community and they applied to local authorities in a bid to halt the work.

The trees are said to be situated on the border of Santa Monica and Los Angeles, and officials of the City of Los Angeles have now ordered work to stop until they can determine whether Groening's neighbour has the right to cut down the pines, according to TMZ.com.