But the council is adamant the 10 ageing silky oaks needed to be chopped down as they posed an unacceptable risk to public safety. 

Many residents, as well as several councillors, were furious when the trees adorning one of East Tamworth’s premier streets were removed recently.

Councillor Juanita Wilson described the street’s new landscape as “revolting” and “barren” and called for more community consultation. 

TRC regional services director Peter Resch said work would be done to establish a “better communication protocol” to use in the future.

That could include the advertising of proposed tree removals on the council’s website, or even letterbox drops for neighbouring residents.

Mr Resch said Tamworth City Bowling Club had raised concerns with the council about the safety of the trees and their impact on the facility.

He said the trees were then assessed against the council’s urban tree removal and replacement policy.

“Club members and patrons regularly park adjacent to the trees and there have been some recent incidents of limbs dropping,” he said.

“Council’s horticultural staff have undertaken tree hazard assessments on all of the trees and have confirmed that the trees are in decline and showing significant signs of decay, increasing the risk of falling branches or even the failure of an entire tree.”

Mr Resch said Essential Energy’s pruning techniques for trees encroaching on power lines had contributed to the oaks’ ill-health. 

“The approach to pruning by the energy authority over many years has also resulted in limbs which are not structurally sound and the trees being significantly deformed due to the way the foliage has been pruned around the powerline clearances,” he said.

The silky oaks will be replaced with a “more appropriate species” once the city’s water restrictions are lifted.

“Before then, the remaining stumps will be removed and the road surface reinstated,” Mr Resch said.