IT was the end of an era in Dorchester town centre at the weekend as works to fell two 'iconic' trees were completed.

The horse chestnut trees were located next to Coffee #1 at the lower end of South Street but had become significantly decayed.

Dorchester Town Council said it was 'a very hard decision' to make but it was forced to remove them because of their 'poor structural condition'.

The news has been met with sadness by some Dorchester residents who have got used to the chestnut trees forming part of the town centre landscape.

And there could be more bad news on the way for the county town's Walks trees network, which could lose a 'significant number of its conker trees' in future years due to an infection called Bleeding Canker.

The town council applied to Dorset Council on December 9 to fell the trees, which raised no objection to its request, and works took place across two weekends in February, culminating on Sunday, February 26.

An inspection from council officers also noted that the trees also stand above a disused underground toilet which has not helped their condition. 

The plan is to replace the trees with four new saplings.

Dorset Echo: The trees at the end of 2022, just before they were cut downThe trees at the end of 2022, just before they were cut down (Image: Jonathan Roberts)

Residents who watched the works at the weekend said it was the 'end of an era' for the trees, which were removed with the help of a crane. 

Cllr Fiona Kent-Ledger, from Dorchester Town Council, said in an earlier statement that replanting the area was a 'very big priority for us'.

"We intend to replant with three large container grown multi-stemmed white barked Birch trees and a Liquidambar tree," she added.

"Being grown in containers will give them as good a possible start as we can. The trees will all be at least 2.5m high.

"We will dig holes to see what can be achieved before replacement stock is purchased and if we can get bigger planting holes, we will secure bigger trees."

Dorset Council did consider removing weak branches back to the trunks to save the trees, but this was said to be a 'temporary solution'.

Serving a Tree Preservation Order on them would also 'not have been appropriate' due to their poor health, the local authority said.