Residents on the Weston have criticised Cheshire Peaks and Plains for cutting down a seemingly healthy tree.

Dianne Donnelly, of Merebrook Road, was devastated after an attractive Australian eucalyptus tree, which stands on nearby property owned by Cheshire Peaks and Plains, was removed on Monday.

She says three trees on the estate have been needlessly cut down, ruining the community feel of the estate.

The mum-of-one said: “They need to realise  the community isn’t just about housing, it’s about the community feel and making it look nice. People take pride in their gardens, they go out and mow their lawns, it’s not right that they should be cutting down healthy trees.”

Diane, who has an eight-year-old son, said staff have been unable to provide her with a consistent answer as to why the tree was cut down.

She said: “I’ve asked three different people why they have cut the tree down and had three different answers, they obviously don’t know what they are doing.

“My friend is a tree surgeon and only two weeks ago we were admiring that tree – I’m sure he would have noticed if there was anything wrong with it. It wasn’t in anyone’s way or causing any problems.”

She added: “My son has autism and I was dreading telling him it had been cut down. It sounds a bit odd to you and me but he tunes in to the sound of the wind in the trees and it helps him calm down, he often stands out there just listening – he won’t be able to do that any more.

“It’s very sad, I don’t think there was anything wrong with that tree at all.”

Neighbour Susan Wadsworth added: “It seems to be some kind of agenda to get rid of the trees so they don’t have to maintain them. But people notice, I think it’s disgusting, it’s a little something to make the gardens look nice.

“Now it looks bare and plain. They wouldn’t be chopping these trees down if it was Prestbury would they?”

Natasha Bowers, quality estate manager at Peaks and Plains said the eucalyptus tree was removed due to a split.

She said: “We take a very careful approach to tree management and work with professional tree surgeons to follow the best course of action.

“Our tree surgeons assess the trees and examine them closely in order to advise on what steps to take.

“The decision to fell a tree is not taken lightly and only happens if the tree is found to be either dead, diseased or if it poses any danger to the local community.”