Mrs Miller said she was dismayed to learn a large ash tree on her nature strip would be cut down as part of council’s tree renewal program.

Council workers removed trees from Dollar Avenue on Wednesday.

‘‘They are taking all the beautiful old trees,’’ Mrs Miller said. ‘‘I told them I really didn’t want it removed, but they are cutting it down anyway.’’

Mrs Miller has lived in Dollar Avenue for about 12 years.

‘‘When I moved in there wasn’t much of a garden,’’ she

said. ‘‘I designed my garden around that tree as a focal point. When my grandchildren come over they love to have picnics under the shade of the tree in our front yard.

‘‘I know they will plant new trees, but they will take so long to mature.’’

Council technical services manager John Martin said council’s tree renewal program would provide a range of future benefits.

‘‘A lot of the trees that are there are not the best species to grow under power lines,’’ he said.

‘‘We do a significant amount of pruning to ensure clearance for power lines.

‘‘Sometimes when you prune trees to comply with power lines you end up with some pretty ungainly looking trees.

‘‘We’re looking to plant smarter trees for the future that require less pruning and look better.’’

Mr Martin said council had also removed trees in Williams Road, Albert Street, Gardenia Street, Robinson Street and parts of Baillie Street.

‘‘The streets are scattered around Horsham, they are not all in the one place,’’ he said.

‘‘It is a long-term program.

‘‘A lot of people might be concerned in the short term, but when they see our reasoning most of them seem to understand.

‘‘We like trees, but we need to have a good plan for the future.’’

Mr Martin said council would replace the trees with tried and tested species.

"We are looking to ensure the trees have the best combination of aesthetics, suitability to the soil and are suited to our dry conditions," he said.