The trees were cut down by local contractors on Tuesday morning after the Eurobodalla Shire Council authorised their removal on the basis of their age and condition..

Eurobodalla Shire councillor Chris Kowal has been contacted by a number of concerned people including an historian and conservationists.

He then contacted the president of the Narooma Country Women’s Association branch to follow up on information it was this group that planted the trees.

It was the CWA that planted the trees back in 1937 at a cost of 3 pounds and 4 shillings per tree, while the women paid four pounds to have them planted.

Clr Kowal said given the trees were a gift to the community, he would have liked to see more consultation with the community and in particular the CWA.

The Eurobodalla Shire Council made the announcement of the tree clearing last week, just days before the removal was scheduled.

The developer of the Seachange apartments had apparently initially suggested the council close Wharf Street at the Princes Highway allowing him to improve Ted Street Park and save the trees.

This suggestion as well as a proposal for a one-way street was rejected by the council.

The cutting down of historic Cypress trees along the route of the Dalmeny to Narooma shared pathway has also upset some residents such as Peter Bernard, who said those trees were planted by Dalmeny residents to commemorate the Anzacs.