BERKELEY – UC Berkeley has begun cutting down trees to clear the way for a new sports center that inspired lawsuits and tree-sitting protests.

So far, protesters in an oak in the vicinity of the felled trees have not budged.

University spokesman Dan Mogulof says UC officials want to make it difficult for the tree protesters to remain there although they do not want anyone to get hurt or get into a confrontation.

Campus officials are calling on the protesters to come down peacefully.

The California Court of Appeal on Thursday denied a request from two citizens groups for an injunction barring construction of the athletic training facility. The groups say they plan to take the case to the state Supreme Court.