One of the landmark Marine Parade Norfolk pines is set to get the chainsaw next Monday.
"Trees have a limited life span, and this one has suffered from a variety of additional stresses including drought, its proximity to a busy road and a lack of nutrients," Napier City Council reserves asset manager Tony Billing said.
Taking down a tree, especially one of the pines which were planted back in the 1890s, was never an easy decision but in this case the council had no choice, he said.
"We have done a lot of work on the pines through the years but some of them are now suffering a bit - some are getting very old."
The tree had deteriorated to the stage where it was now a potential hazard to passing traffic and pedestrians as the dying limbs were drying out and liable to break off and fall.