RESIDENTS have come together in fierce opposition to a proposed felling of a sycamore tree.

An historic tree which is believed to have stood in East Street, Wareham for around 150 years could be felled after a survey found it was rotting from within.

However, since an application was put in to fell the tree, scores of residents have joined together in opposition.

Lucia Kirk, 73, said the tree is "beautiful" while pointing out it has a protection order on it.

She said: "When planning permission came in for new homes, the tree had a protection order on it and it still has one now."

Meanwhile, Deborah Hawkins said: "It's the only tree on East Street for a start and it's been here for about 150 years, so it's a real part of our history.

"It also carries a lot of wildlife in it and it looks very beautiful every summer and you can see it from the top of East Street."

Pam Bowyer-Davis, 84, added: "If they knock bits off the top every year the tree will be fine and we can keep it."

Sarah Titman, 57, added the tree has withstood a number of serious storms over the years and insisted it can be kept.

Chris Hockley, a member of the eco group Planet Purbeck, questioned why people would want to cut down a tree when global warming is now so prominent.

Susan Hynes, 54, added: "It's a beautiful tree and has lots of wildlife that use it squirrels, birds, insects.

"But for me it's also the mental health side: you've got a beautiful tree here and it has kept me going through lots of times."

Vicky Charles, chair of eco group Sustainable Wareham, said: "There has been no consultation on this and the first I heard of it was the other day through a Facebook group.

"All trees have a great contribution to the environment and for animals so we must preserve trees all we can."

David Evans, 71, added: "It is such a feature in the street scene here and there are hardly any trees left compared with what there used to be."

Mike Wiggins, 75, added: "The planning committee ought to at least hire an independent tree surveyor for their opinion on this we only have the opinion of the applicant."

Ros Adams, meanwhile, described the sage as Wareham's own Sycamore Gap, referring to the felling of a similar tree in Northumberland National Park earlier this year.

However, Lisa Thomas, 53, lives directly across the road from the tree and is worried the tree could come down in a storm and land on her house.

Applicant Andy Hill said he has spent £1,130 on surveys and ultrasounds for the tree and found "serious concerns" about a large void inside the main trunk.

He said the tree's structure has been deemed in "very poor" condition and concluded "with great sadness" it has to be felled.

"It is difficult not to think that the objectors who wish to retain the tree will be the same ones to complain vigorously if it fails and causes damage or even injury," he added.

"We are trying to completely remove the threat from an unsafe tree in an urban setting."

A decision on the future of the tree will be decided by Dorset Council.