A tree planted by the Duke of Wellington on a Dorset estate is to be felled on Friday because it is suffering from rot.
The cedar tree was planted on the Kingston Lacy estate by the duke in 1827.
The National Trust, which owns the estate, said the tree has to be cut down due to safety concerns.
Head gardener Andrew Hunt said tests confirmed that the tree was suffering from severe rot.
He said: “The tree planted by the Duke of Wellington is particularly special to us but, sadly, it has reached the end of its life.”
It will be felled with two others, also suffering from rot, and the area will be cleared and new trees planted.
Mr Hunt said: “The seeds from the Duke’s trees have been used to propagate many other younger cedars in the garden so its family line lives on with us.”
Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, planted the tree at the estate then owned by William John Bankes.
They became friends during the campaigns of the Peninsular War (1808-1814) and Wellington is feted for defeating Napoleon at Waterloo.
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