Kingborough Council is planning to remove the white gum in front of the Kingston Beach toilets in coming weeks.
Kingborough Mayor, Paula Wriedt said the tree would be replaced in early spring.
“Unfortunately, the tree is infected with an untreatable pathogenic fungus (Armillaria sp.) and its decline has recently accelerated,” Cr Wriedt said.
“We understand that many members of the community value this tree, located directly in front of the Kingston Beach public toilets.
“It is well loved and was nominated for the Significant Tree Register several years ago.
“I understand that many in the community will find it distressing when it is cut down but due to the untreatable fungus, Council has been advised by an arborist to remove the tree to manage the risk for people using the grass area below the tree.
“In the coming Spring, Council will replace the tree with a kurrajong tree (Brachychiton populneus), which is an Australian species with known resistance to Armillaria which remains in the soil even after the infected tree is removed.”
