The removal of more than 20 trees from a suburban Napier street is part of an ongoing programme of aged-tree replacement across the city.
The latest stage has focused on Barker Rd, Marewa, where examination of 27 melia trees found only three were "sound".
Most had lost significant limbs in the past because of decay, and were at risk of losing more.
All 27 have been removed, but the city council was planning to replant the street with a smaller and more suitable growing species next winter, council staff said.
Otherwise known as Indian Bead, the trees are regarded as beautiful but a nuisance, becoming top-heavy when fully beaded and have been a focus of tree replacement projects throughout Napier and Hastings.