An audit report delivered to local legislators for review showed that three trees in front of a community office building in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, cost nearly 320,000 yuan ($52,700), Southern Metropolis Daily reported on Thursday.

However, the authority said the price for the trees had been discounted, when interviewed by the newspaper.

The funds to purchase the trees came from a 400,000-yuan subsidy from Bao'an district government to Huangmabu community office for a greening project, according to an audit of government performance in the city.

The audit was submitted to the Shenzhen People's Congress for inspection on Wednesday.

The Huangmabu community bought two camphor trees and a Bischofia javanica tree, for the total of nearly 320,000 yuan, said Luo Minwei, the head of the community office.

They were bought during the Asian Games held in Guangdong province in 2010 when the price of trees was rising, Luo explained.

The price was firmed after a vendor gave a discount price for the community, Luo said.