Two historic Oak trees on Elizabeth Street estimated to be at least 200 years old have been severely pruned by Arbor Care on behalf of the property owner.

They are beautiful trees with no evidence of disease, says nearby resident Richard Fenn.

Elizabeth Street Oaks being pruned to allow potential development.

'I thought it was quite sad really to see the trees go. They're entitled to cut it back to the boundary, which it looks like what they are doing now.”

'The people cutting the trees down said they had permission, but in fact it appears they don't.

'It seems to me there are few historic trees in Tauranga, and those are two of them. It seems a shame to cut them.”

Neighbouring resident Ewa Fenn was dismayed to see the trees being pruned.

'As far as we knew the trees are on the protected tree list,” says Ewa.

Richard called Tauranga City Council, which promptly investigated the issue.

Tauranga City Council group communications advisor Marcel Currin says the trees are not protected and the property owner has every right to cut them back to the boundary.

Speculation that the property is being developed has not been able to be confirmed.